OHN  MERRIGK 

d  /iioarap/jical  S/ceic£ 


Fi-M9  Cants  Andrews 


Library  of 
The  University  of  North  Carolina 


COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 


ENDOWED  BY 
JOHN  SPRUNT  HILL 

of  the  Class  of  1889 


B-M^i,^ 


a^ 


00032690794 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


Form  No.  A-368,  Rev.  8/95 


JOHN  MERRICK 
A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


JOHN    MERRICK    AT    THE   AGE   OF    58 


John  Merrick 

A  BIOGRAPHICAL 
SKETCH 


By 
R.  McCANTS  ANDREWS 


COPYRIGHT,   1920 

BY 

R.   McCANTS  ANDREWS 


PRESS    OF 

THE  SEEMAN  PRINTERY 

Durham,  N.  C. 

1920 


CHAPTER  OUTLINE 


Apologia 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 

Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 


I. 

II. 
III. 
IV. 

V. 

VI. 

.  VII. 

yiii. 

IX. 

X. 

XL 

XII. 


Chapter  XIII. 
Chapter  XIV. 
Chapter  XV. 
Chapter  XVI. 
Chapter  XVII. 
Appendix 


The  Triangle 

The  Lament 

The  Ensemble 

Durham  Station 

John  Merrick — The  Barber 

"Iron  Sharpen eth  Iron" 

John  Merrick — The  Organizer 

The  North  Carolina  Mutual  and 

Provident  Association 
Success  Based  On  Policy 
Facts  and  Figures 
Nineteen  Nineteen 
The  Larger  Significance  of  the  North 

Carolina  Mutual 
John  Merrick — The  Man 
John  Merrick — The  Race  Builder 
John  Merrick — The  Connecting  Link 
"Ye  Have  Done  It  Unto  Me" 
A  Cloud  of  Witnesses 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


John  Merrick  at  the  Age  of  58  Frontispiece 


FACING 
PAGE 


A.    M.    Moore,  M.  D.,    President    North    CaroHna 

Mutual  14 

C.  C.  Spaulding,  Secretary-Treasurer  North  Caro- 
Hna Mutual  20 

John  Merrick  at  the  Age  of  20  30 

John  Merrick  at  the  Age  of  35 46 

John  Merrick  at  the  Age  of  40 62 

Fac-Simile  of  Company's  First  Advertising 

Matter 78 

First  Home  Office  Building,  Durham,  N.  C 94 

North  Carolina  Mutual  Block,   Parrish   Street, 

Durham,   N.   C 126 

The  Merrick  Residence  142 

John  Merrick  at  the  Age  Qf  50 158 

John  Merrick  at  the  Age  of  55  174 


''As  long  as  it  is  God's  zvill,  I  want 
this  institution  to  move,  for  men  to  sup- 
port their  families;  and  God  will  let  it 
live.  That  is  what  I  am  interested  about 
and  God  knows  it.  I  zvant  this  institution 
to  live  and  she  will!'' 

— John  Merrick. 


APOLOGIA 

THIS  volume  does  not  purport  to  be  a 
biography.  It  is  only  an  effort  to  inter- 
pret the  life  of  a  great  American  and  to 
eive  a  readable  account  of  his  achievements. 
John  Merrick  was  so  well  known  and  the  great 
institution  of  his  building  is  so  well  establisht 
that  his  memory  will  forever  remain  a  living 
inspiration  to  his  race.  His  real  worth  will 
not  be  obscured  by  the  feebleness  of  this  effort 
to  represent  him  as  one  of  the  greatest  Ameri- 
cans of  African  descent  and  one  of  the  finest 
citizens  of  the  Republic. 

The  fragments  that  are  here  pieced  together 
and  welded  into  the  story  of  a  life  have  been 
gathered  from  the  lips  and  out  of  the  memories 
of  his  family,  associates  and  friends.  Mr.  Mer- 
rick was  not  a  writer  and  gave  no  thot  to 
leaving  a  formal  record  of  his  own  hfe.  He 
was  an  organizer,  financier,  humanitarian  and 
prince  of  men  and  wrote  his  life  on  the  human 
heart  where  it  is  imperishable  and  better  pre- 
served than  in  these  pages. 

[9] 


10  JOHN  MERRICK 

In  summing  up  the  qualities  and  endowments 
of  a  great  man,  one  craves  most  of  all  a  mastery 
of  language  and  a  power  to  picture  the  real 
character  as  he  was  known  to  the  men  among 
whom  he  lived.  The  task  is  difficult  at  best ; 
and  the  more  renowned  the  subject,  the  greater 
the  needs  of  the  interpreter. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  study  of 
John  Merrick's  life  must  necessarily  include  the 
organization  and  development  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  for  that 
is  his  great  and  eternal  monument.  In  the 
building  of  this  concern  Mr.  Merrick  had 
associated  with  him  for  twenty  years  Dr.  A.  M. 
Moore  and  Mr.  C.  C.  wSpaulding,  his  faithful 
friends.  The  association  of  these  three  men  is 
unique  in  the  new  history  of  the  Negro  in 
America ;  and  one  of  the  efforts  of  this  book  is  to 
set  forth  their  example  of  loyalty  and  devoted 
fellowship  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  race.  These 
three  men  have  been  likened,  in  this  story,  to 
The  Triangle  of  the  heavens  and  John  Merrick, 
the  leader,  to  its  North  Star. 

A  word  might  be  said  as  to  the  plan  of  this 
work.  The  first  four  chapters  serve  as  a  setting  in 
which    the    members   of    The    Triangle   are    as- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  11 

sembled.  The  next  three  chapters  trace  Mr.  Mer- 
rick's development  as  a  pubHc-spirited  citizen  and 
leader  in  his  community.  The  North  Carolina 
Mutual  and  Provident  Association  is  given  sep- 
arate treatment  in  the  next  hvt  chapters,  follow- 
ing which  we  return  to  personal  glimpses  of  John 
Merrick,  the  Man,  in  the  fullness  of  his  strength. 
Chapter  XV  is  a  discussion  of  the  only  written 
speech  Mr.  Merrick  has  left.  The  two  chapters 
closing  contain  the  account  of  the  saddest  of  all 
days,  and  the  heart-throbs  of  loving  friends.  An 
Appendix  has  been  added  containing  papers  of 
interest  relating  to  the  North  Carolina  Mutual 
Life  Insurance  Company— the  old  company  with 
a  new  name—and  its  founder.  The  Appendix 
also  contains  the  classic  exposition  on  the  char- 
acter of  John  Merrick  by  Dr.  R.  B.  McRary,  of 
Lexington. 

No  man  can  be  properly  interpreted  or  well 
understood  unless  the  forces  that  have  con- 
tributed to  his  making  are  taken  into  account. 
Therefore  much  attention  has  been  given  to  the 
environment  in  which  Mr.  Merrick  lived;  and 
he  is  presented  as  the  product  of  a  period  which 
in  itself  has  experienced  rapidly  changing  condi- 
tions.   There  should  be  in  the  story  of  this  life  a 


12  JOHN  MERRICK 

practical  lesson  for  the  South ;  for  John  Merrick, 
a  home-made,  southern  product,  represents  an 
ideal  in  spirit  and  in  manner  for  the  young  men 
of  both  races.  And  John  Merrick  was  possible 
only  because  of  the  in-bred  culture  and  old-time 
chivalry  of  the  Best  South! 

Men  who  profess  to  love  the  South  and  to  wish 
to  see  the  end  of  racial  hostility  and  misunder- 
standing must  realize  that  the  present  situation 
is  not  an  occasion  for  despair;  that  what  is 
needed  is  a  genuine  effort  at  racial  co-operation, 
a  belief  in  the  Negro,  a  desire  to  know  what  he 
feels  and  thinks  and  believes,  a  willingness  to  re- 
ward integrity  of  character  and  honesty  of  pur- 
pose as  a  means  of  uplifting  the  masses  of  the 
race  and  a  spiritual  communion  that  will  breed 
substantial  good  will  and  mutual  respect.  This 
was  the  Durham  Spirit — the  only  spirit  that 
could  produce  John  Merrick ! 

To  the  young  men  of  the  Nation,  colored  and 
white,  upon  whom  will  fall  the  succession  of  lead- 
ership in  the  affairs  of  our  country  and  who  must 
assume  the  responsibility  for  its  future,  I  beg  to 
commend  the  spirit  of  John  Merrick  as  the  spirit 
which  made  Heroic  America !  Now,  our  civiliza- 
tion has  been  threatened,  our  democracy  chal- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  13 

lenged.  If  we  love  America  and  our  Southland, 
let  us  unite  in  fuller  understanding  and  stronger 
fellowship  to  make  our  common  nationality  a 
"bond  of  ennoblement  and  not  a  by-word  of  re- 
proach." 

R.  McCants  Andrews. 
Durham,  N.  C. 
May  1,  1920. 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  TRIANGLE 

THERE  is  known  in  Astronomy  ''a  small 
constellation  on  the  edge  of  the  Milky  Way, 
near  the  South  Pole,  containing  three  bright 
stars,"  which  is  called  The  Triangle.  This  beau- 
tiful figure  is  groupt  among  the  "Southern 
Constellations''  and  its  bodies  are  among  the  fixt 
stars.  It  lies  in  the  South,  near  that  whitish, 
vapory  belt  "composed  of  multitudes  of  millions 
of  suns,"  which  is  called  the  Milky  Way.  This 
imaginary  figure,  as  represented  on  a  field  chart 
of  the  heavens,  is  nearly  equilateral  in  shape,  with 
the  first  of  its  stars  farther  above  and  to  the 
North,  its  second  slightly  lower  and  over  toward 
the  east  and  its  third  below  and  to  the  southwest. 
"The  stars  are  the  landmarks  of  the  universe." 
In  all  the  ages  of  mankind  they  have  furnisht 
the  one  undying  source  of  inspiration  and  hope 
when  men  have  lifted  up  their  gaze,  away  from 
the  turmoil  and  stress  of  earth  to  the  tranquil 
beauty  of  the  heavens.    "They  seem  to  be  placed 

[14] 


A.    M.    MOORE,   M.  D., 

President,    North    Carolina    Mutual 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  15 

in  the  heavens  by  the  Creator,  not  alone  to  elevate 
our  thots  and  expand  our  conceptions  of  the 
infinite  and  eternal,  but  to  afford  us,  amid  the 
constant  fluctuations  of  our  own  earth,  something 
unchangeable  and  abiding.     .     .     ." 

When  we  gaze  upon  the  wondrous  beauty  of 
the  heavens  and  marvel  at  the  brilliance  of  its 
constellations  our  souls  are  illuminated  with  a  re- 
flected light.  "A  feeling  of  awe  and  reverence, 
of  softened  melancholy  mingled  with  a  thot 
of  God,  comes  over  us,  and  awakens  the  better 
nature  within  us.  Those  far-off  lights  seem  full 
of  meaning  to  us,  could  we  but  read  their  mes- 
sage; they  become  real  and  sentient,  and  like  the 
soft  eyes  in  pictures,  looking  lovingly  upon  us. 
We  come  into  communion  with  another  life,  and 
the   soul   asserts    its   immortality   more   strongly 

than  ever  before "     Our  spirits  are 

cheered  and  we  move  off  with  fresh  courage  and 
feel  a  new  thrill  to  be  and  to  do. 

The  world  has  its  constellations  as  well  as  the 
heavens.  There  are  Stars  of  Earth!  To  them 
we  turn,  from  the  staleness  and  drabness  of  our 
dreary  lives,  to  drink  deep  draughts  of  new^  de- 
termination. We  fix  our  eyes  upon  them  and 
their  radiance  compels  and  inspires  and  lifts  us 


16  JOHN  MERRICK 

out  of  our  dead  selves,  transforms  our  energy  and 
crystallizes  our  faith.  These  Stars  of  Earth  are 
variable  and  fixt ;  they  are  of  all  degrees  of  mag- 
nitude and  of  many  colors.  They  flare  forth,  in 
a  blaze  of  light,  outshining  the  lesser  bodies  all 
about  them;  they  reveal  themselves  in  clusters 
and  in  all  the  figures  of  the  heavens. 

The  Triangle  of  the  Milky  Way  has  a  counter- 
part on  earth  in  the  story  of  this  book.  This  one 
below  is  also  of  fixt  stars  and  belongs  to  ''the 
Southern  Constellations."  It  has  been  ''un- 
changeable and  abiding"  amid  the  fluctuations  of 
earth.  For  all  time  to  come  its  "three  bright 
stars"  will  furnish  inspiration  and  hope  to  the 
great  struggling  crowd  that  presses  ever  upward 
and  upward,  following  the  light  of  their  guidance. 
The  first  of  its  stars  has  been  transfigured  and 
gone  into  the  new  setting  which  the  Creator  has 
fashioned,  in  order  that  its  brilliancy  may  never 
decline. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  LAMENT 

THE  Triangle  is  broken !     For  twenty  years 
three  men  labored  together  with  a  single 
mind  and  purpose.     Now  The  Triangle  is 
torn  asunder  and  one  is  no  more. 

The  three  were  born  in  out-of-the-way  places 
less  than  fifty  miles  apart, — one  in  slavery,  one 
at  the  dawn  of  freedom,  one  almost  a  decade 
later  during  the  Reconstruction.  Out  of  poverty 
came  one,  in  low  estate;  the  other  two  were 
farmer  boys,  born  on  the  lands  of  their  fathers. 
The  first  had  no  schooling  and  was  poor,  but 
rose  by  hard  work  and  simple  faith.  The  second 
had  the  choice  of  a  career,  went  to  college  and 
became  a  missionary  of  health.  The  third  was 
little  schooled  but  applied  himself  vigorously  to 
books  and  things  and  gamely  sought  opportunity. 
A  kindly  fate  brot  these  three  together  and 
cast  them  into  one  frame,  mingling  their  medi- 
tations, blending  their  impulses,  harmonizing 
their  choices,  combining  their  powers.     There- 

[17] 


18  JOHN  MERRICK 

after,  they  moved  with  one  accord, — daring,  pur- 
suing, achieving. 

The  first  possest  a  charm  that  won  men's 
hearts,  a  vision  that  pierced  men's  souls  and  a 
transforming  intelHgence  that  absorbed  an  idea, 
impregnated  it  and  gave  its  fruitful  offspring  for 
the  service  of  his  generation.  He  w^as  laughter 
and  infinite  joy  and  life  itself.  No  man  looked 
upon  him  whose  heart  did  not  soften  with  favor ; 
for  there  was  no  bitterness  in  him  and  all  his 
ways  were  ways  of  pleasantness.  This  one  is 
gone ! 

The  second  is  slower  of  speech  and  manner, 
more  calculating  in  thot  and  judgment.  He 
has  been  systematically  trained  and  intellect  com- 
pletely dominates  impulse.  A  deep,  religious  cur- 
rent and  conviction  draw  him  away  from  the 
shouts  and  laughter  of  men  into  the  solace  and 
security  of  spiritual  communion.  But  this  out- 
ward undisturbed  and  unemotional  form  conceals 
the  deepest  of  emotional  natures — a  great  heart 
that  aches  with  every  hurt  of  humanity,  that 
senses  and  shares  every  pain  and  every  sorrow 
and  wishes  itself  able  to  alleviate  the  evils  and 
sufferings  of  human  kind. 

The  third — Ah !  His  youthful  heart  exults  and 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  19 

seeks  its  own.  Fond  and  friendly,  constant  and 
confiding",  loving*  and  lovable.  He  gave  himself  to 
the  two,  and  is  of  them;  he  is  neither,  yet  is  both. 
A  steady  youth,  a  loyal  devotee,  a  rounded  man. 
Firm  but  gentle,  resolute  and  resourceful,  dili- 
gent, industrious,  earnest  and  sweet-tempered. 
His  endowment  is  capacity  and  his  genius  is 
work! 

Such  was  The  Triangle  and  great  was  its 
strength !  For  twenty  years  it  held — firm !  For 
two  decades  it  stood — solid,  a  Unity!  Ignorance 
and  intrigue  did  not  intimidate  it.  Malignity  and 
mischief  could  not  move  it.  Rancor  and  reaction 
failed  to  wreck  it.  Prejudgment  and  prejudice 
were  powerless  to  prevent  it.  Hypocrisy  and 
hysteria  could  not  hinder  it.    It  stood ! 

It  threw  the  force  of  its  strength  against  vanity 
and  vacillation  and  in  favor  of  power  and  prog- 
ress. It  threw  the  strength  of  its  force  against 
snobbery  and  selfishness  and  in  favor  of  humility 
and  harmony.  It  held  the  vigor  of  its  strength 
against  dishonesty  and  deceit.  It  strengthened 
the  vigor  of  its  hold  thru  loyalty  and  love. 

One  is  dead,  and  The  Triangle  is  broken !  One 
is  dead,  and  two  mourn.     One  is  dead,  and  hun- 


20  JOHN  MERRICK 

dreds  mourn.  One  is  dead,  and  thousands  will 
mourn.  As  long  as  the  heart  of  man  shall  sing 
the  praises  of  love  and  laughter  shall  range  the 
air,  as  long  as  the  soul  of  man  shall  reach  across 
the  cold  space  that  intervenes,  seeking  the  de- 
parted soul,  so  long  shall  his  Lament  be  sung,  so 
long  shall  his  story  be  told. 


C.    C.    SPAULDING, 

Secretary-Treasurer,    North    Carolina    Mutual 


CHAPTER  III 

THE  ENSEMBLE 

The  Toiler 

ON  September  7,  1859,  in  Sampson  County, 
of  North  Carolina,  at  the  town  of  Chnton, 
there  was  born  a  Httle  slave  boy.  He  was 
an  Indian  brown  baby  with  eyes  that  shone  with 
a  wonderful  brightness,  in  a  chubby  little  face 
that  wreathed  in  continual  smiles.  His  features 
were  evenly  molded,  his  hair  soft  and  black  and 
glistening.  His  quiet  little  mother  was  a  darker 
tint  and  a  mild-mannered.  God-fearing  creature 
with  luminous  eyes  full  of  compassion. 

His  father  he  knew  not ;  for  those  were  strange 
days  when  men  of  dark  complexion  were  bur- 
dened with  the  toil  of  their  masters.  But  his 
little  mother  he  had  with  him,  and  she  cared  for 
him  and  his  brother  until  their  little  legs  were 
strong  and  their  little  arms  could  toil. 

At  twelve  years  old,  the  boy  was  at  work  at  a 
brickyard  in  Chapel  Hill  helping  to  support  his 
mother.     He    was    growing    now    and    waxing 

[21] 


22  JOHN  MERRICK 

strong.  Pleasant  and  well-mannered,  he  grew 
tall  and  shapely  and  commanded  the  admiration 
and  respect  of  his  elders.  He  workt  steadily, 
faithfully,  as  the  years  past,  finding  great  joy 
in  the  mother's  love  and  in  honest  toil. 

He  had  learned  to  read  and  to  write  and  to 
figure, — somehow.  For  the  great  war  had  ended 
the  darkness  under  which  he  was  born,  and  he 
sought  learning  like  other  men.  At  night  he  took 
the  Great  Book,  the  only  one  he  possest,  and 
pondered  its  words  and  letters,  in  the  shadow- 
light  of  the  fireside.  He  had  no  time  for  school, 
for  he  must  care  for  the  little  mother  and  his 
brother,  and  times  were  very,  very  hard  and 
hours  of  work  long  and  wearisome. 

As  the  sixth  year  of  his  service  in  the  brickyai*d 
drew  to  a  close,  the  boy  lifted  up  his  eyes,  lookt 
across  the  hills  and  answered  the  promptings  of 
his  young  heart  for  new  adventure.  The  family 
belongings  were  loaded  into  a  steer-cart  and  they 
moved  to  Raleigh,  the  State  capital.  He  was 
now  a  strong  young  man  of  earnest  purpose  and 
of  unbounded  faith  in  himself  and  his  God. 

On  Shawn's  shapeless  campus  and  in  the  making 
of  its  first  building  this  lad  became,  first,  hod- 
carrier  and  then  brickmason,  helping  to  erect  a 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  23 

o-reat  institution  that  would  mold  the  lives  and 
characters  of  girls  and  boys  like  himself.  No 
doubt  he  felt  that  altho  he  would  never  sit 
within  these  walls  he  would  build  them  substantial 
and  strong  that  they  might  shelter  others  in  quest 
of  learning. 

The  unrevealed  past  which  shadows  the  early 
life  of  this  boy  gives  but  faint  traces  of  his  heart- 
beats. But  something  urged  him  on.  As  he  had 
come  from  brickyard  laborer  to  hod-carrier  and 
brickmason,  he  went  on  to  other  things.  He 
next  became  bootblack  in  a  barber  shop  and  in 
the  same  shop  he  learned  the  barber's  trade. 

Vigilance  is  always  rewarded  and  soon  an  op- 
portunity for  advancement  came.  A  fellow  bar- 
ber had  determined  to  establish  a  business  in  a 
nearby  town  and  offered  him  employment  in  the 
new  shop. 

The  family  moved  again  to  a  new  home.  It  was 
not  only  mother  and  son  this  time,  however; 
there  were  two  new  members.  The  young  barber 
had  given  a  good  woman  his  name  as  he  turned 
into  manhood  and  the  union  had  been  blest 
with  a  bright  and  happy  baby  girl  whom  they 
named  Geneva. 


24  JOHN  MERRICK 

Thus  began  the  real  career  of  an  industrious 
young  man;  and  John  Merrick  set  out  for 
Durham. 

The  Doctor 

While  the  contending  armies  of  the  Civil  War 
were  deciding  whether  his  people  should  be  slave 
or  free,  a  boy  was  born  on  September  6,  1863,  in 
Columbus  County,  at  a  place  then  called  Rosin- 
dale.  He  was  one  of  a  happy  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  on  the  family  farm.  The  size  of  the 
family  afforded  mutual  advantage  to  the  father 
and  children,  since  they  furnisht  sufficient  labor 
to  keep  the  farm  going  and  also  had  opportunity 
to  attend  the  rural  schools  establisht  after  the 
war.  During  the  early  years  of  his  life  this  boy 
stayed  at  home  and  farmed  with  his  father. 

Having  exhausted  the  facilities  of  the  nearby 
schools  and  become  advanced  beyond  his  fellows, 
the  young  man  became  a  teacher  and  was  so  em- 
ployed for  the  next  three  years.  The  demand  for 
teachers  was  great  because  of  the  hungry  multi- 
tude who  groped  in  ignorance  but  who  wanted 
to  know;  and  this  young  teacher  worked  faith- 
fully with  them  but  never  lost  the  desire  to  learn 
more  himself  so  he  might  be  of  greater  useful- 
ness. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  25 

He  decided  to  re-enter  school  and  went  to 
Lumberton,  and  matriculated  at  the  Whitin 
Normal  School.  The  following  year  he  decided 
upon  a  change  and  went  to  the  Normal  School  at 
Fayetteville.  The  work  of  this  year  was  broken 
into  by  the  call  of  his  father  for  his  services  on 
the  farm  and  he  returned  home  after  the  first 
term. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  in  1885,  he  went  to 
Shaw  University  to  pursue  the  college  course,  so 
as  to  become  a  professor.  It  happened  that  the 
Medical  School  at  this  time  was  in  need  of  stu- 
dents; so  thru  the  persuasion  and  advice  of 
his  teachers  the  young  student  turned  to  the 
Medical  profession.  He  mastered  the  four-year 
course  in  three  years  and  was  graduated  in  1888. 

The  young  doctor  presented  himself  before  the 
State  Board  of  Examiners  with  forty-six  others, 
thirty  of  whom  were  white,  and  ranked  second  in 
the  examinations.  The  next  thing,  of  course,  was 
to  get  establisht. 

After  considering  several  towns  a  choice  was 
made,  and  Aaron  McDuffie  Moore  set  out  for 
Durham. 


26  JOHN  MERRICK 

TJie  Adventurer 

In  Holy  Writ  is  chronicled  the  story  of  Jacob 
and  Esau,  in  which  one  brother,  by  skillful  deceit, 
secured  from  his  father  the  blessing  intended  for 
his  older  brother.  This  story  has  an  interesting 
counterpart  in  an  incident  that  occurred  in  Co- 
lumbus County,  North  Carolina,  in  1895. 

A  family  of  eight  children  resided  at  Clarkton, 
near  Whiteville,  on  their  father's  farm.  One  of 
the  boys,  with  an  intelligent  eye  and  prepossessing 
appearance,  found  the  farm  life  rather  irksome 
and  longed  to  go  to  the  city  and  there  seek  the 
fortunes  of  life.  But  he  was  yet  young,  having 
been  born  August  1,  1874,  and  his  father  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  remain  at  home  and  give  his 
attention  to  the  ancient  science  of  tilling  the  earth. 

He  remained,  but  was  ill  at  ease  and  continued 
to  dream  dreams  and  see  visions.  He  was  not 
destined,  like  the  prodigal,  to  be  undeceived  by 
the  folly  of  false  friends  and  the  emptiness  of 
phantom  prominence;  for  he  went  not  in  search 
of  pomp  and  splendor,  but  of  opportunity.  He 
did  not  spend  his  time  in  riotous  living  but  in 
faithfulness  to  small  things;  and  he  returned 
home  honored  and  exalted — but  this  is  ahead  of 
the  storv. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  27 

The  farmer  boy  went  about  his  daily  duties  as 
regularly  as  had  been  his  custom  but  ever  with  an 
eye  to  the  windward.  Now  it  happened  that  in 
a  city  not  very  far  off  he  had  an  uncle,  a  young 
Doctor  of  Medicine,  who  wrote  back  of  the  suc- 
cess he  was  achieving  and  of  the  promises  of  the 
new  community  in  which  he  dwelt.  These  letters 
were  greatly  inspiring  and  were  read  and  re-read 
by  the  boy  and  they  increast  his  desire  to  be 
there  with  his  uncle. 

Finally,  one  day,  a  letter  came  announcing  to 
the  boy's  father  that  a  position  was  open  in  the 
city  and  asking  that  the  father  send  an  older  son 
to  fill  it.  The  boy  was  the  first  to  see  the  missive 
and  immediately  opened  it  when  he  noticed  the 
post-mark  and  recognized  the  handwriting.  In 
frantic  haste  he  devoured  the  contents  and  then, 
with  guile  and  deceit,  he  told  his  father  that  his 
uncle  had  sent  for  him. 

And  thus,  with  a  harmless  trick  and  a  boy's 
ingenuity,  Charles  Clinton  Spaulding  set  out  for 
Durham. 


CHAPTER  IV 

DURI-IAM   STATION 

THE  Durham  to  which  these  three  men  came 
was  not  the  Durham  of  today,  ahho  it  gave 
promise  to  be  a  great  city  of  industry  and 
thrift. 

Beside  the  raih^oad  track  were  stores  and  shops, 
with  scattered  houses  strung  along  the  traveled 
road.  The  Durham  of  today  was  only  in  the 
making  and  these  three  men  had  come  to  put  into 
the  process  their  own  life's-blood  and  sweat. 
They  had  come  to  grow  up  with  the  town  and  to 
help  make  it  what  it  now  is.  The  little  village 
was  just  stretching  on  its  flanks,  the  tobacco  trade 
was  being  establisht  and  the  community  was  in 
need  of  young  men  of  vision  and  action. 

In  a  booklet  which  is  described  as  "A  Labora- 
tory Study  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina" 
and  which  is  entitled  ''Durham  County:  Eco- 
nomic and  Social,"  Mr.  M.  B.  Fowler  gives  a  de- 
scription of  Durham  in  its  early  days. 

He  writes:  "Fifty-two  years  ago,  on  a  beauti- 

[28] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  29 

ful  April  day,  there  gathered  around  a  cheerful 
camp  iire  at  a  little  spot  between  Greensboro  and 
Raleigh  the  soldiers  of  the  blue  and  the  gray.  A 
stranger  would  have  thot  by  their  gaiety,  games, 
foot  races,  horse  trading,  and  general  behavior 
that  a  spring  festival  was  being  celebrated.  But 
why  this  place? 

"This  was  the  spot  set  aside  as  neutral  ground 
between  the  armies  of  General  Sherman  and 
General  Johnston,  just  before  the  close  of  the 
war  between  the  States.  This  place  was  called 
Durham's  Station  in  honor  of  a  venerable  towns- 
man. Dr.  B.  L.  Durham.  Ordinarily,  about  two 
hundred  people  resided  at  this  little  station.  But 
on  this  memorable  spring  day  thousands  of  men 
swarmed  the  woods  in  this  vicinity.  General  Sher- 
man's army  campt  just  to  the  south  of  the  sta- 
tion and  General  Johnston's  about  three  and  one- 
half  miles  west,  at  the  Bennett  Place.  Soldiers 
from  both  sides  met  at  Durham  Station  and  had 
a  genuinely  good  time.  They  found  a  frame 
house  just  a  little  way  from  the  station,  full  of 
tobacco  that  had  been  maufactured  by  Mr.  John 
R.  Green  for  the  soldiers  in  gray.  The  house  was 
sacked,  and  men  from  both  sides  tilled  their  pock- 
ets with  smoking  tobacco. 


30  JOHN  MERRICK 

"After  Johnston  had  surrendered  to  Sherman 
at  the  Bennett  House,  the  soldiers  scattered  in 
every  direction.  Some  Hved  in  Texas,  some  in 
Maine.  So  it  happened  that  later  Mr.  Green's 
tobacco  went  'express  prepaid'  from  Maine  to 
Texas.  When  the  tobacco  carried  away  began 
to  give  out,  these  men  began  to  feel  a  desire  for 
more  of  the  'celestial  weed.'  Thus  it  happened 
that  the  railroad  agent,  postmaster,  and  other 
officials  around  this  little  'burg,'  began  to  receive 
letters  from  various  places^  asking  for  more  of 
that  Durham  tobacco.  Mr.  Green  was  quick  to 
see  his  opportunity  and  accordingly  began  to 
manufacture  more  tobacco  and  call  it  'Durham 
Bull  Smoking  Tobacco.'  He  adopted  the  Dur- 
ham Bull  as  his  trade  mark.  .  .  .  The  sign 
of  the  'Bull'  is  seen  around  the  world  today." 

The  event  above  chronicled  is  of  more  than 
passing  significance;  for  in  it  may  be  found  the 
secret  of  the  success  of  this  thriving  and  prosper- 
ous city.  It  is  worth  noting  that  Durham  was 
neutral  ground  and  that  instead  of  being  the 
scene  of  battle  it  was  the  scene  of  friendly  rivalry 
and  fraternizing  between  the  opposing  armies. 
The  very  spirit  of  the  locality  made  it  one  where, 
later,  two  great  races  w^ould  grow  and  develop 
side  by  side,  on  terms  of  good  feeling. 


AT   THE   AGE   OF   20 
(Repropucep   from   a  Tin-Type) 


CHAPTER  V 

JOHN    MERRICK THE   BARBER 

IT  WAS  in  the  barber  shop  of  W.  G.  Otey  in 
Raleigh,  North  CaroHna,  that  John  Merrick 
became  first  boot-black  and  then  barber.  One 
of  Mr.  Otey's  barbers,  John  Wright,  decided  to 
come  to  Durham  and  open  a  business  of  his  own. 
He  had  grown  to  like  Merrick  for  his  affability 
and  trustworthiness  and  offered  to  take  him  in 
the  new  shop  as  workman  if  he  would  come.  It 
was  so  agreed  and  they  moved  to  Durham  and 
began  the  new  business  in  1880.  Things  went 
well  and  after  six  months  Merrick  purchased  a 
half  interest  in  the  business  and  it  was  conducted 
in  the  name  of  Wright  and  Merrick.  Mr.  Wright 
says  concerning  his  association  with  Merrick : 

''Years  ago  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  I  was 
foreman  in  the  barber  shop  of  Mr.  W.  G.  Otey. 
At  that  time  John  Merrick  was  porter  in  the  shop 
and  he  was  always  straight  and  upright  in  his 
dealings.  I  remember  one  time  that  Otey  and 
Merrick  had  a  misunderstanding  and  Merrick  was 

[31] 


32  JOHN  MERRICK 

discharged.  I  took  Merrick's  part  with  the  pro- 
prietor and  he  was  restored  to  his  former  posi- 
tion. This  led  to  a  friendship  between  Merrick 
and  myself  which  lasted  thru  his  life-time. 

''Soon  after  this  Merrick  began  to  learn  the 
barber's  trade.  We  continued  to  work  for  Mr. 
Otey  for  some  time.  Our  friendship  grew  for 
each  other  and  we  agreed  to  get  married  at  the 
same  time. 

"After  some  time  I  was  persuaded  by  Colonel 
W.  T.  Blackwell,  Mr.  J.  S.  Carr,  Mr.  W.  Duke 
and  other  white  friends  to  come  to  Durham  and 
go  into  business.  Hating  to  be  without  the  friend- 
ship of  Mr.  Merrick,  1  persuaded  him  to  accom- 
pany me.  We  struck  Durham  about  the  time  she 
was  on  her  boom.  We  went  into  business  and 
met  with  success  from  the  opening  of  our  doors. 
Our  place  of  business  contained  three  chairs  at 
the  beginning  and  later  we  added  five  more. 

''We  got  into  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Dur- 
ham and  they  had  great  confidence  in  us.  After 
so  long  a  time  we  decided  to  buy  a  lot  and  we  built 
our  homes  side  by  side. 

''Merrick  and  I  were  in  business  many  years 
and  during  that  time  we  never  disagreed.  I  al- 
ways found  him  congenial  and  ready  to  serve  the 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  33 

customers  and  likewise  courteous.  Time  past  and 
I  finally  sold  my  interest  in  the  Merrick  and 
Wright  Barber  Shop  to  him  and  came  to  Wash- 
ington to  reside.  This  is  an  event  in  my  life 
which  I  have  always  regretted.  Merrick  con- 
tinued to  succeed  in  all  lines  of  business  and 
everything  he  turned  his  hands  to  turned  to 
money." 

After  the  two  families  had  been  settled  for 
about  a  year,  Merrick  and  Wright  purchased  a  lot 
and  built  two  houses  for  their  families;  little 
three-room  cottages  facing  the  railroad  on  Petti- 
grew  Street,  in  the  Negro  section  which  has  been 
given  the  name  of  Hayti.  This  modest  little  home 
was  the  first  piece  of  real  estate  Mr.  Merrick 
owned.  Within  two  years  after  his  coming  to 
Durham  he  had  become  proprietor  of  his  business 
and  the  proud  owner  of  a  home.  In  this  little 
home  Mabel,  the  second  daughter,  and  Ed,  the 
first  son,  were  born. 

In  1892,  Mr.  Merrick's  partner,  Wright,  de- 
cided to  leave  North  Carolina  and  sold  the  busi- 
ness out  to  Merrick.  Wright  moved  to  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  where  he  still  remains,  and  Merrick 
became  the  sole  owner  of  the  business.  The 
business  expanded  from  this  time  and  soon  Mer- 


34  JOHN  MERRICK 

rick  was  owner  of  three  shops  for  white  patron- 
age and  two  for  colored  patronage. 

Things  now  commenced  to  become  a  Httle 
easier  and  the  successful  barber  began  to  buy 
real  estate  and  to  build  houses  for  rent.  The 
barber  built  his  own  houses,  first  figuring  out  the 
bills  for  lumber,  and  then  hauling  it  from  the 
mills  in  his  own  horse  and  wagon.  He  was  his 
own  contractor  and  carpenter.  Here  we  see 
again  his  belief  in  working  with  the  hands. 

In  1887,  Mr.  Merrick  purchased  a  more  pre- 
tentious and.  comfortable  six-room  cottage  on 
Fayetteville  Street  and  moved  his  family  there. 
The  Negro  population  of  Durham  was  now  stead- 
ily increasing  and  altho  the  site  selected  was 
several  blocks  from  his  original  home  and  further 
from  the  business  section,  it  served  to  encourage  a 
general  extension  of  the  Negro  section,  Hayti,  to 
its  present  proportion.  Other  Negroes  of  promi- 
nence located  along  Fayetteville  Street  and  today 
there  can  be  found  no  finer  homes  among  any 
group  of  Negroes  anywhere  in  the  South  than 
those  in  this  section. 

In  this  new  home,  John  Merrick,  Jr.,  the  second 
boy,  and  Martha,  the  third  girl,  were  born. 

About   1890  the  barber  began  experimenting 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  35 

with  a  preparation  for  dandruff  and  soon  put 
upon  the  market  Merrick's  Dandruff  Cure.  An 
old  Webster  Student's  Note  Book,  found  after 
his  death,  contains  some  advertisements  he  wrote 
for  the  newspapers  setting  forth  the  virtues  of 
this  tonic.  These  advertisements  and  a  speech 
written  in  the  other  side  of  the  same  notebook, 
are  among  the  few  compositions  written  in  his 
own  hand  that  he  has  left. 

As  an  ad-writer,  the  barber  shows  his  custom- 
ary originality.  A  notation  above  one  of  the  an- 
nouncements calls  for  "A  cut  standing  at  chair 
arplying  tonick  to  head  of  customers,"  after 
which  follows  the  article: 

hair  when  in  a  unhealthy  condition  needs  treatment  like 
the  sistum.  dandruff  is  a  clear  denunstration  that  its 
unhealthy.  Something  aught  to  be  done  and  must  be  if 
you  would  save  you  selfe  from  baldness 

(Merrick's  cure  for  Dandruff) 

Here  are  other  samples : 

Now  for  a  few  facks  there  have  been  so  many  failues 
in  cureing  the  scalp  of  Dandruff  lots  of  them  are  due  to 
the  fack  that  one  or  two  applycations  will  not  do  the 
work  nether  will  one  applycation  cure  a  stomach  trouble 
ore  a  case  of  fevor  or  consumtion.     .     .     . 


36  JOHN  JNIERRICK 

Remember  the  Old  addick  a  stich  in  time  saves  nine 

treat  your  head  at  once  with  Merrick's  Dandruff  Cure 
We  dont  clame  to  bring  hair  back  on  a  ball  head  that 
nature  has  made  and  has  been  of  long  standing  as  its 
beyon  mans  Power  no  more  than  the  Dentis  can  bring 
a  tooth  back  when  axtracted  but  he  can  save  the  original 
in  many  casees. 

No  Dandruff  cure  has  ever  been  put  upon  the  market 
that  has  found  such  favor  with  the  Tonsorial  Profession 
as  Merricks  Dandruff  Cure  No  greec  no  fussy  oder  its 
quick  erfeck  its  cooling  and  clensing  Power  make  it 
wonderful     .     .     . 

Now  dont  let  it  be  a  consiteration  of  what  have  failed 
Prior  to  this  but  try  Merricks  Dandruff  Cure  or  money 
refunded  one  dollar  Per  bottle 
hantled  by  all  drugest 
and  your  Leading  barbers 
or   by    addressing 

John    Merrick   &   Co 
104  W  Main  St 
Durham,    N.    C. 

About  this  time,  probably  in  1895,  William 
Jennings  Bryan,  orator  and  aspirant  for  presi- 
dential honors,  visited  Din-ham  and  was  shaved 
by  Mr.  Merrick  in  the  barber  shop.  He  fell  into 
pleasant  chat  with  the  barber,  after  being  intro- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  37 

duced,  and  before  leaving  the  shop  handed  him  a 
silver  dollar  bearing  the  date,  1882.  He  told 
Mr.  Merrick  not  to  spend  the  dollar  until  he 
(Bryan)  had  become  President  of  the  United 
States,  as  he  confidently  expected  to  become  after 
the  election  of  1896.  The  dollar  remains  unspent 
in  the  hands  of  Merrick's  family. 


CHAPTER  VI 


'iron  sharpneth  iron' 


THE  glimpse  we  have  had  of  John  Merrick, 
the  Barber,  has  dealt  only  with  his  personal 
success  in  this  business,  showing-  how  he 
rose  by  his  own  efforts  from  an  un-schooled,  self- 
trained  boy  to  a  successful  business  man  and  sub- 
stantial citizen.  It  has  not  toucht  another  equally 
important  development  of  his  which  led  to  his 
final  flowering  as  a  leader  among  his  people. 

Life  is  as  great  an  enigma  as  death,  except  that 
on  earth  people  see  and  feel  and,  therefore,  be- 
lieve. But  the  hidden  forces  that  shape  the  destiny 
of  an  individual,  that  direct  his  choices  and  divert 
his  energies,  making  him  in  the  end  either  a  suc- 
cess or  a  failure,  are  just  as  puzzling  and  defiant 
as  the  unreported  life  after  death.  Men  use  the 
unanswerable  "IF"  to  signify  their  queries  on 
matters  of  speculation,  as  they  postulate  a  given 
situation  that  did  not  exist  and  wonder  what  con- 
dition would  have  resulted  from  it  if  it  had  ex- 
isted.    They  wonder  what  would  have  been  the 

[38] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  39 

career  of  such  and  such  a  person  //  he  had  made 
a  different  choice  at  a  given  time  from  that  that 
he  did  make.  And  it  may  be  wondered  what  John 
Merrick's  Hfe  would  have  been  //  he  had  not  been 
a  barber  or,  //  he  had  not  come  to  Durham. 
Would  he  have  been  a  great  pioneer  in  the  busi- 
ness world  and  an  inspiration  for  his  race?  or 
would  he  simply  have  been  a  successful  barber? 

At  least  it  appears  that  in  his  case  his  trade 
was  all-important  because  of  the  things  he  learned 
and  the  friendships  he  formed  behind  the  barber's 
chair.  Merrick's  college  course  was  taken  in  his 
barber  shop,  largely  by  the  Socratic  method,  with 
traveling  professors.  It  might  be  said,  and  not 
extravagantly,  that  Mr.  Merrick's  contact  with 
the  leading  white  business  men  of  Durham  had 
as  much  to  do  with  his  success  as  his  own  personal 
gifts. 

When  he  came  to  Durham,  fifteen  years  after 
the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  the  leading  white 
families  were  only  moderately  well-to-do.  Few 
people  in  this  section  were  rich  enough  then  to 
invoke  the  penalty  of  exclusion  from  heaven.  In 
those  days,  the  business  of  the  street,  the  politics 
and  things  in  general  were  discust  in  the  town 
barber  shop,  which  was  the  original  chamber  of 


40  JOHN  MERRICK 

commerce,  men's  clubs  and  civic  forum.  Men 
were  by  turn  convivial  and  acrimonious;  and  the 
barber  was  confidant,  buffer  or  tutor  as  the  oc- 
casion demanded.  It  requires  no  stretch  of  the 
imagination  to  see  how  a  wide-awake,  energetic 
and  industrious  barber  could  appropriate  and  ab- 
sorb information  and  business  methods  thru  such 
contact. 

The  young  business  men  of  the  town,  the 
Dukes,  the  Watts,  the  Carrs,  the  Fullers,  and  all 
their  associates, — the  groups  that  have  made 
Durham  the  splendid  city  it  is, — were  not  only 
customers  of  John  Merrick,  but  his  friends.  Mr. 
Merrick  was  the  personal  barber  of  Washington 
Duke,  organizer  of  the  American  Tobacco  Com- 
pany; and  the  first  trip  the  barber  made  to  New 
York  City  was  in  company  with  his  patron  and 
friend. 

Now  that  the  two  races  have  become  so  es- 
tranged, it  is  hard  to  realize  how  close  John  Mer- 
rick stood  to  these  men.  There  was  no  time  he 
needed  help  or  advice  that  he  did  not  get  it; 
there  was  no  time  when  he  made  a  request  in 
behalf  of  his  race  that  it  was  not  granted.  And 
his  aspirations  and  his  accomplishments  will 
show  that  these  occasions  were  numerous. 


CHAPTER  VII 

JOHN   MERRICK THE  ORGANIZER 

JOHN  MERRICK  had  a  special  talent  for 
organizing  and  promoting  business  enter- 
prises. We  have  already  seen  how,  in  the 
barber  business,  he  became  part  owner,  and  then 
full  owner  of  the  business  which  John  Wright 
had  establisht,  after  which  he  became  owner  of 
five  barber  shops. 

It  is  only  natural  that  a  man  who  has  been  per- 
sonally very  successful  in  the  conduct  of  his  own 
business  should  become  a  leader  in  community 
enterprises,  or  should  take  the  initiative  in  setting- 
up  movements  and  organizations  in  his  commun- 
ity. Mr.  Merrick  was  already  a  successful  man 
and  had  developt  into  a  thrifty  and  substantial 
citizen.  He  had  the  confidence  of  the  people  of 
Durham,  had  made  strong  friendships  and  had  a 
coterie  of  admirers  and  associates.  He  now  be- 
gan to  give  his  energy  and  talent  to  new  enter- 
prises, in  co-operation  with  others. 

A  long  list  of  names  will  be  forever  associated 

[41] 


42  JOHN  MERRICK 

with  that  of  John  Merrick.  They  shall  appear  on 
these  pages  according"  to  their  natural  grouping 
and  according  to  the  enterprises  mentioned.  There 
is  no  intention,  least  of  all  any  effort,  to  obscure 
the  doings  of  others  who  moved  in  this  circle.  The 
life  of  John  Merrick  is  rich  enough  in  itself  to 
place  him  among  those  who  shall  be  called  great 
by  the  on-coming  generations.  And  so  as  events 
are  named  and  groups  enumerated,  facts  are  set 
down  as  correctly  as  faulty  memories  can  report 
them  from  out  of  the  past.  Upon  some  events 
there  are  differences  of  opinion  and  conflicting 
evidence.  These  differences  are  not  vital,  how- 
ever, and  do  not  remove  John  Merrick  from  the 
background. 

There  are  disputes  as  to  whether  Mr.  Merrick 
himself  organized  or  founded  or  establisht  this 
particular  thing  or  the  other.  It  is  not  worth 
while,  except  for  the  captious,  to  pause  over  these 
questions,  since  they  will  nor  add  or  detract  from 
the  object  of  our  study.  Where  one  person 
originates  a  thing  and  another  prosecutes  its 
course,  bringing  it  to  success  and  to  finality, 
neither  need  be  robbed  of  his  honor,  for  both 
have  contributed  to  the  sum  of  the  world's 
comfort. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  43 

It  would  be  amazing  indeed  if  one  man  had  a 
monopoly  of  the  brains  in  any  community;  yet 
one  man  may  easily  be  the  greatest  inspirational 
character  in  that  community.  It  is  often  also 
true  that  men  ponder  and  revolve  plans  in  their 
minds,  in  shadowy  outline,  who  never  would  see 
clearly  what  to  do  if  another  did  not  give  articu- 
late form  to  their  hazy  and  scattered  reflections. 
Other  men  have  clear  visions  and  active  imagi- 
nations; they  can  spin  out  fine  theories  and  per- 
fect schemes.  But  the  actual  doing,  the  execu- 
tion, the  accomplishment  —  if  others  did  not 
undertake  the  tasks  they  never  would  be  done. 
The  life  of  any  healthy  community  is  developt 
vicariously, — the  dreamers,  the  thinkers,  the 
workers  all  joining  in  the  common  uplift. 

The  picture  of  the  past  years  in  Durham  is 
one  of  activity  on  the  part  of  many  good  men, 
men  of  ability  and  purpose;  but  the  overshadow- 
ing, predominating  personality  in  the  background 
is  John  Merrick. 

The  Royal  Knights  of  King  David 

In  1883,  three  years  after  Mr.  Merrick  had 
moved  his  little  family  to  Durham,  an  organiza- 
tion  was   formed   which   was  called   The   Royal 


44  JOHN  MERRICK 

Knights  of  King  David.  A  minister  from 
Georgia,  Rev.  Morris,  had  come  to  Durham,  in 
the  interest  of  a  fraternal  order  already  estab- 
lisht  in  that  State,  and  was  desirous  of  selling 
the  right  of  organization  to  some  of  the  business 
men  of  Durham, — Mr.  Merrick  among  them. 

The  organization  had  insurance  features  and 
was  run  on  the  assessment  plan.  It  had  a  relig- 
ious setting,  being  founded  upon  the  episode  of 
David  and  Goliath.  Instead  of  purchasing  rights 
in  the  order  for  its  operation  in  North  Carolina, 
the  committee  of  Durham  citizens  bought  the 
order  out  entirely  and  incorporated  it  in  their 
own  name. 

Mr.  W.  G.  Pearson,  Supreme  Grand  Secretary, 
gives  the  following  account  of  the  organization: 

"The  Royal  Knights  of  King  David  was  pur- 
chased froni  Rev.  Morris,  a  Georgia  preacher, 
September  24,  1883,  by  John  Merrick,  John 
Wright,  W.  A.  Day,  J.  D.  Morgan,  T.  J.  Jones. 
Rev.  Morris  came  to  Durham  to  sell  them  the 
right  to  operate  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina; 
they  purchased  the  order  and  all  rights  in  it  from 
him. 

'Mn  1886,  I  took  charge  as  Supreme  Grand  Sec- 
retary and  changed  some  of   the   features  and 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  45 

methods  of  the  order.  Collections  were  only  v$14 
per  month  from  all  sources  when  I  came  into  of- 
fice and  we  were  operating  only  in  North  Caro- 
lina. In  1887  we  took  out  a  charter  in  Virginia 
and  establisht  lodges  in  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth. In  1910  we  went  into  South  Carolina 
and  Florida;  1916  saw  the  order  in  Georgia 
aeain  and  1918  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and 
Pennsylvania. 

''Within  twelve  months  our  collections  had  in- 
creast  from  $14  per  month  (for  North  Caro- 
lina) to  $430  per  month  (for  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia).  Present  collections  from  the  seven 
states  in  which  we  are  operating  are  $8,000  per 
month.  Our  membership  is  21,000.  We  have  re- 
cently formed  a  Uniform  Rank  which  is  growing 
rapidly. 

'The  order  has  bonds  and  securities  to  the 
amount  of  $22,000  and  property  valued  at 
$40,000.  A  three-story  press  brick  home  office  is 
now  in  course  of  erection,  which  will  contain  of- 
fices for  the  Supreme  Grand  Lodge,  store  rooms 
and  a  banking  house.  The  Fraternal  Bank  and 
Trust  Company  with  an  authorized  stock  of 
$125,000  and  a  paid-in  capital  of  $25,000  will 


46  JOHN  MERRICK 

open  its  doors  for  business  in  August,  1920.  It 
will  have  banking,  trust,  rental  and  bond  depart- 
ments. 

"At  the  time  of  his  death,  Mr.  Merrick  was 
the  only  one  of  the  incorporators  then  active  in  the 
affairs  of  the  organization.  He  and  I  had  some 
time  since  bought  the  interests  of  the  other  living 
members.  He  was  the  Supreme  Grand  Treasurer 
from  the  time  of  its  organization  until  his  death." 

The  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident 
Association 

No  doubt  the  experience  which  Mr.  Merrick 
had  acquired  in  the  fifteen  years  of  operation 
between  the  establishment  of  the  Royal  Knights 
and  the  founding  of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual 
and  Provident  Association  led  directly  to  his 
undertaking  the  latter  venture.  In  1898  this  As- 
sociation was  formed.  It  is  noted  here  merely  for 
its  chronological  order;  for  that  is  such  a  large 
story  that  it  must  have  its  own  chapters. 

The  Lincoln  Hospital 

The  Lincoln  Hospital  was  founded  by  Dr. 
A.  M.  Moore,  in  1901,  thru  the  generosity  of 
the  Duke  family.     Mr.   Merrick  was  influential 


AT   THE   AGE   OF   35 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  47 

in  persuading  the  Dukes  to  make  this  benefaction 
for  the  Negroes  of  Durham.  Dr.  Moore  gives 
the  following  account  of  his  and  Mr.  Merrick's 
effort:  "The  movement  for  a  colored  hospital  was 
started  by  me  in  1898.  I  worked  hard  to  arouse 
the  colored  and  white  people  in  the  interest  of 
such  an  institution  for  our  city,  and  gradually 
they  began  to  respond.  We  were  especially  en- 
deavoring to  win  the  encouragement  of  the  Duke 
family. 

''Dr.  A.  G.  Carr,  my  good  friend,  was  the 
family  doctor  for  the  Dukes,  John  Merrick  was 
the  family  barber,  W.  H.  Armstrong  was  the  but- 
ler and  Mrs.  Addie  Evans  was  the  cook.  I  kept 
in  touch  with  all  these  persons  and  we  had  a 
fairly  good  opportunity  to  see  that  the  matter  did 
not  grow  cold.  All  these  persons  helpt  to  win 
the  favor  of  our  friends  and  benefactors,  the 
Dukes,  but  I  suppose  Dr.  Carr  and  Mr.  Merrick 
were  more  largely  responsible  for  the  generous 
gifts  we  received. 

'Tt  seemed  for  a  while  that  we  would  not  have 
an  institution  of  our  own.  Mr.  George  W.  Watts 
had  given  a  hospital  for  the  white  people  of  Dur- 
ham and  he  later  announced  his  intention  of  add- 
ing a  colored  ward.     I  took  up  the  matter  with 


48  JOHN  MERRICK 

Mr.  Watts,  urging  that  such  provision  would  lead 
to  practical  difficulties,  that  this  plan  would  not 
give  our  Negro  physicians  sufficient  opportunity 
to  develop  and  that  such  provision  would  prove 
inadequate  with  the  growing  Negro  population. 
Mr.  Watts  decided  that  he  would  not  open  the 
ward  for  colored  and  the  Dukes  gave  us  promise 
of  help. 

"The  first  gift  from  the  Dukes  was  $13,000. 
Since  then  they  have  given  $20,000  more.  Re- 
cently a  new  site  has  been  purchased  for  an  en- 
larged institution  by  Messrs.  Buchanan  and  Ben 
Duke,  George  W.  Watts  and  J.  S.  Hill.  They 
will  erect  in  the  near  future  a  hospital  worth 
probably  $100,000." 

In  1910  it  was  decided  to  add  a  Nurse  Train- 
ing School.  One  hundred  eight  girls  have  at- 
tended this  school,  eighty-six  of  them  graduating. 
Fourteen  are  in  the  school  at  present.  They  have 
been  most  helpful  to  the  City  of  Durham,  especi- 
ally in  the  influenza  epidemics. 

There  are  a  cornerstone  and  two  marble  tablets 
at  the  hospital  showing  the  donors,  the  colored 
trustees  and  the  inducement  that  led  to  the  gift. 
The  cornerstone,  with  an  inset  of  the  'Square  and 
Compass,'  reads: 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


49 


LINCOLN   HOSPITAL 

Established    1901 

W.,  B.  N.  and  J.  B.  Duke,  Donors 


A  larger  tablet,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  build- 
ing, showing  the  Three  Links'  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, bears  the  names  of  the  original  trustees  and 
officers  for  the  institution: 


TRUSTEES 

A. 

M.   jMoore, 

M.  D. 

S.  L.  Warren 

M 

.D. 

J- 

A. 

DODSON 

A.   A. 

Armstrong 

A. 

R. 

Moore 

Geo. 

W. 

Stevens 

J.  W. 

O'Daniel 

D. 

T 

Watson 

C. 

C 

SrAULDTNG 

M.  H. 

Christmas 

J. 

E. 

Shepard 

John 

M 

ERRicx,    President 

W.  G.  Pe 

ARSON, 

Secretary 

R.  B. 

Fitzgerald,  Treasurer 

On  the  front  of  the  building,  at  the  main  en- 
trance is  a  large  marble  tablet  which  speaks  for 
itself : 


50  JOHN  MERRICK 


MEMORIAM 
LINCOLN  1901  HOSPITAL 

With  grateful  appreciation  and  loving  remembrance  of 
the  fidelity  and  faith fuhiess  of  the  Negro  slaves  to  the 
Mothers  and  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  during  the 
Civil  War,  this  institution  was  founded  by  one  of  the 
Fathers  and   Sons 

B.  N.  Duke 

J.  B.  Duke  W.  Duke 

Not    one    act    of    disloyalty    was    recorded    against    them. 

John  Merrick,  President 

A.  M.  ]\IooRE,  Founder  and  Supt. 


The  Mechanics  and  Farmers  Bank 

The  idea  of  establishing  a  Negro  bank  in  Dur- 
ham seems  to  have  had  several  sources,  or  rather 
to  have  been  in  the  minds  of  several  people.  It 
was  quite  a  natural  desire  and  logically  followed 
the  success  experienced  in  the  commercial  ven- 
tures of  the  progressive  and  alert  colored  men  of 
the  town.  There  is  scarcely  a  city  in  the  South 
where  Negroes  are  successful  in  business  that  has 
not  a  colored  bank  or  that  has  not  heard  much 
talk  of  one. 

It  is  amusing  that,  in  the  just  pride  which  all 
persons  connected  with  the  establishment  of  the 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  51 

institution  feel,  each  one  believes  the  idea  was 
original  with  him.  It  seems  clear  that  several 
persons  were  thinking  along  the  same  line  and 
that  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers  Bank  resulted 
from  the  collective  rather  than  from  the  individ- 
ual initiative  toward  a  banking  institution  among 
the  Negroes  of  Durham.  Durham  was  a  progres- 
sive town  in  1907.  Her  factories  were  humming 
and  supporting  a  large  class  of  laborers,  male  and 
female.  The  business  and  professional  men  of 
the  race  were  becoming  strong  financially  with  a 
fine  outlook  for  the  future.  Besides  local  busi- 
ness organizations  two  companies  were  growing 
rapidly  and  spreading  to  other  states.  The  Royal 
Knights  of  King  David  had  been  establisht  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century  and  was  then  operating  in 
two  states;  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Pro- 
vident Association  had  been  formed  for  nearly  a 
decade  and  had  pusht  its  way  thru  the  Caro- 
linas.  The  idea  of  opening  a  banking  institution, 
therefore,  must  have  appealed  simultaneously  to 
or  have  been  a  growing  conviction  with  a  num- 
ber of  persons. 

At  any  rate  several  persons  got  busy.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore  this  is  what  hap- 
pened: ''Professor  E.  A.  Johnson  and  Dr.  M.  T. 


52  JOHN  MERRICK 

Pope,  of  Raleigh,  came  to  Durham  one  night  in 
1907  to  work  up  a  building  and  loan  association. 
We  called  a  meeting  of  the  leading  men  of  the 
town  in  order  to  discuss  the  matter.  It  was  soon 
evident  from  the  turn  of  the  meeting  that  the 
persons  present  wanted  a  bank  rather  than  a 
building  and  loan  association.  The  discussion 
became  general  and  the  meeting  finally  adjourned 
without  any  action  in  favor  of  the  effort  of  the 
visitors. 

"Soon  after  this  R.  B.  Fitzgerald,  John  Mer- 
rick and  others  began  to  show  activity  toward 
establishing  a  bank.  The  officers  of  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  were  especially  interested  in 
such  an  institution.  The  Company  has  always 
done  the  bulk  of  its  business  thru  the  Me- 
chanics and  Farmers  Bank  since  its  establish- 
ment in  1908." 

Mr.  W.  G.  Pearson,  first  cashier  of  the  insti- 
tution, gives  this  recital:  "The  idea  of  a  Negro 
bank  originated  in  the  minds  of  R.  B.  Fitzgerald 
and  myself.  I  talked  to  John  Merrick  about  it 
but  at  first  he  did  not  think  the  time  was  quite 
ripe  to  launch  it. 

''Mr.  Fitzgerald  and  I  went  ahead  in  our  ef- 
forts to  secure  subscribers  and  subscribed  $1,000 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  S3 

each  ourselves.  I  then  approacht  Mr.  Merrick 
again  and  he  subscribed.  (3ther  subscriptions 
were  given  until  $10,000  worth  of  stock  had  been 
sold,  thereupon  the  stockholders  were  called  to- 
gether and  the  bank  organized." 

A  third  story,  told  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Dodson,  has 
it  this  way:  ''About  a  year  or  two  before  the 
Mechanics  and  Farmers  Bank  was  organized, 
Mr.  R.  B.  Fitzgerald  had  been  agitating  the 
matter  and  trying  to  get  sentiment  aroused  in 
favor  of  getting  a  bank  in  Durham. 

'The  matter  then  died  down.  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
soon  began  to  talk  again.  He  and  Dr.  J.  E. 
Shepard  got  together  and  the  latter  wrote  out  a 
form  of  charter  for  the  institution.  A  meeting 
was  called,  at  which  Messrs.  Fitzgerald,  Shepard 
Pearson,  Warren  and  myself  were  present, 
together  with  others.  All  of  us  subscribed  for 
stock.  Dr.  Shepard  then  took  steps  toward  hav- 
ing the  charter  issued. 

"Meetings  were  called  from  time  to  time  and 
different  ones  began  subscribing  for  stock.  Dr. 
Moore,  Mr.  Merrick  and  others  had  now  become 
stockholders  and  the  bank  was  finally  establisht. 
As  I  recall  the  facts,  Mr.  Fitzgerald  and  Dr. 
Shepard  were  the  most  active  in  the  effort." 


54  JOHN  MERRICK 

House  Bill  1342  and  Senate  Bill  673,  entitled 
"An  Act  to  Incorporate  Mechanics  and  Farmers 
Bank  at  Durham,  North  Carolina"  and  "Ratified 
this  25th  day  of  February,  A.D.  1907,"  states 
that  "The  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina 
do  enact:  Section  1,  That  John  Merrick,  R.  B. 
Fitzgerald,  J.  A.  Dodson,  James  E.  Shepard, 
A.  M.  Moore,  S.  L.  Warren,  W.  G.  Pearson,  Jno. 
R.  Hawkins,  W.  G.  Stevens  and  their  present  and 
future  associates,  successors  and  assigns,  be,  and 
they  are  hereby  constituted  a  body  politic  and 
corporate  under  the  name  and  style  of  Mechanics 
and  Farmers  Bank  of  Durham,  North  Caro- 
hna.     ..." 

The  first  notice  of  meeting  of  the  incorpora- 
tors was  sent  out  under  date  of  July  1,  1907,  and 
was  signed  by  R.  B.  Fitzgerald,  W.  G.  Pearson, 
J.  E.  Shepard,  John  Merrick,  J.  A.  Dodson,  W. 
G.  Stevens,  A.  M.  Moore  and  S.  L.  Warren.  It 
reads  as  follows:  *'We,  the  undersigned,  being  a 
majority  of  the  incorporators  and  subscribers  for 
the  capital  stock  of  said  company,  do  hereby  fix 
the  office  of  the  Royal  Knights  of  King  David, 
No.  212^  Parrish  Street,  City  of  Durham,  as 
the  place,  and  the  29th  day  of  July,  1907,  at  12 
o'clock,  as  the  time  to  meet  and  organize  the  said 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  55 

Mechanics  and  Farmers  Bank  of  Durham  and  to 
elect  the  Board  of  Directors  and  to  transact  such 
other  business  as  may  properly  come  before 
said  meeting.     .*     .     ." 

The  lirst  meeting  of  the  incorporators  and 
stockholders  was  duly  held  at  the  time  stated  and 
directors  and  officers  were  elected.  Messrs.  Fitz- 
gerald, Dodson,  Pearson,  Merrick,  Shepard, 
Spaulding,  Stevens,  Moore  and  Warren  consti- 
tuted the  first  Board  of  Directors.  The  Board 
of  Directors  met  immediately  after  the  general 
meeting  of  stockholders  had  adjourned  and 
elected  the  following  officers  for  the  new  insti- 
tution: President,  R.  B.  Fitzgerald;  vice-presi-, 
dent,  John  Merrick ;  cashier,  W.  G.  Pearson.  The 
bank  opened  in  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  Block 
in  August,  1908. 

Mr.  Pearson  did  not  long  remain  cashier,  be- 
cause of  other  duties,  and  was  succeeded  by  Dr. 
George  W.  Adams  who  held  that  position  until 
death  claimed  him  in  1918.  Mr.  C.  C.  Spaulding 
became  cashier  following  Dr.  Adams.  Mr.  Mer- 
rick became  president  of  the  institution  in  1910,' 
following  the  death  of  Mr.  Fitzgerald;  and  he 
has  been  succeeded  in  1919  by  Mr.  Pearson.  Mr. 
Pearson  resigned  in  May,  1920,  and  Dr.  S.  L. 
Warren  became  president. 


56  JOHN  MERRICK 

The  institution  grew  rapidly  and  has  been  well 
supported  by  the  Negroes  of  Durham  and  of  the 
surrounding-  towns.  Its  first  dividend,  of  four 
per  cent,  was  declared  in  August,  1909.  At  that 
time  the  capital  stock  was  raised  to  $15,000.  In 
February,  1920,  $27,375  worth  of  stock  was  of- 
fered to  the  public,  an  amount  sufficient  to  raise 
the  capital  stock  to  $50,000.  This  stock  was  sold 
within  one  week  and  $20,000  worth  of  it  was  paid 
for  in  cash — a  splendid  testimonial  of  the  confi- 
dence of  the  Negroes  of  Durham  in  this  insti- 
tution, and  also  of  their  financial  condition. 

The  Bull  City  Drug  Company 

In  1908,  the  same  year  that  saw  the  opening  of 
the  colored  bank,  there  was  only  one  colored  drug 
store  in  Durham  and  that  was  not  centrally  lo- 
cated for  the  colored  population.  That  one  store 
had  been  organized  as  the  Durham  Drug  Com- 
pany by  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore,  W.  G.  Pearson,  J.  A. 
Dodson,  R.  B.  Fitzgerald  and  J.  E.  Shepard,  in 
1895.  Messrs.  Dodson  and  Shepard  were  then 
pharmacists  from  Shaw  University.  In  1901  this 
business  became  the  Fitzgerald  Drug  Company 
and  so  continued  until  1910,  when  Mr.  Dodson 
became  sole  owner. 

The  motive  for  the  formation  of  this  first  com- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  57 

pany  seems  not  to  have  been  so  much  the  making 
of  money  by  the  stockholders  as  it  was  to  help  the 
young  pharmacists  in  the  development  of  a  new 
business  for  the  colored  citizens. 

Similarly,  the  desire  for  other  drug  stores  to 
serve  the  growing  Negro  population  led  to  the 
formation,  in  1908,  of  the  Bull  City  Drug  Com- 
pany, by  John  Merrick,  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore,  C.  C. 
Spaulding,  W.  G.  Pearson,  Dr.  C.  H.  Shepard 
and  S.  T.  James.  Mr.  James,  a  pharmacist,  was 
made  manager  and  served  very  efficiently  in  that 
capacity.  The  company  opened  a  store  in  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  Block  on  Parrish  Street 
and  was  enabled  sometime  later  to  open  a  branch 
store  in  Hayti,  the  colored  section.  The  business 
was  very  successful  and  w^as  run  under  the  com- 
pany management  for  four  or  five  years.  The 
two  stores  were  then  sold  to  their  managers  and 
pharmacists,  S.  T.  James  and  J.  W.  Pearson,  and 
are  still  flourishing. 

The  Mcrrick-Moorc-S  paid  ding  Real  Estate 
Company 

In  the  division  of  the  management  of  the  in- 
surance Company  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  Merrick 
to  do  the  buying,  selling  and  investing.    This  will 


58  JOHN  MERRICK 

l)e  commented  upon  in  the  development  of  that 
concern  in  a  later  chapter.  On  account  of  this 
work  Mr.  Merrick  became  an  expert  on  real 
estate.  He  came  in  close  touch  with  the  local 
market  and  often  there  would  be  property  which 
the  insurance  Company  could  not  handle,  because 
of  insurance  regulations,  that  Mr.  Merrick  could 
handle  to  his  personal  advantage.  In  this  way 
he  often  found  profitable  investments  which  were 
out  of  the  line  he  was  seeking  for  the  Company. 
Most  men  would  have  used  this  "inside  in- 
formation" for  their  exclusive  benefit,  which 
would  have  been,  of  course,  perfectly  legitimate. 
But  Mr.  Merrick  felt  that  his  partners  in  the 
Company  were  due  the  same  consideration  that 
he  gave  himself  in  pushing  his  own  personal 
business ;  and,  at  his  own  suggestion,  the  Merrick- 
Moore-Spaulding  Real  Estate  Company  was  in- 
corporated December  8,  1910.  This  Company  is 
still  operating  and  its  holdings  reflect  the  safe 
business  sagacity  and  judgment  of  its  organizer. 

The  Diirham  Textile  Mill 

The  only  unsuccessful  business  venture  re- 
corded against  The  Triangle,  out  of  the  many 
formed  or  participated  in  by  its  members  is  a 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  59 

textile  concern,  organized,  in  1914  and  sold  the 
next  year.  The  Durham  Textile  Mill  was  owned 
by  Messrs.  Merrick,  Moore  and  Spaulding  and 
was  managed  by  Mr.  C.  C.  Amey.  '  It  was  or- 
ganized for  the  manufacture  of  socks. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  venture  would  have 
been  successful  and  would  today  have  been  one 
of  the  largest  hosiery  mills  of  the  city  had  not 
several  unfortunate  occurrences  combined  to 
bring  about  its  strangulation.  First  of  all,  the 
owners  had  no  time  to  give  to  it  themselves.  The 
manager  was  active,  but  was  inexperienced  in  the 
hosiery  business  and  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  lay 
hold  of  young  men  of  business  training  and  ex- 
perience. Even  these  difficulties  would  have  been 
overcome  with  time  had  the  concern  kept  going. 
However,  with  the  European  War,  Durham  was 
hit  by  the  same  general  depression  that  was  ex- 
perienced all  over  the  South.  Cotton  was  de- 
throned as  king,  money  became  scarce,  markets 
were  closed.  The  mill  ran  for  a  year  but  was 
unable  to  develop  a  market  and  was  finally  sold. 
There  was,  however,  no  financial  loss  from  its 
operation. 


60  JOHN  MERRICK 

Tlic  Colored  Library 

Some  time  in  the  year  1913,  as  well  as  can  be 
definitely  ascertained,  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore  founded 
a  Sunday  School  library  in  the  White  Rock  Bap- 
tist Church.  An  effort  was  made  to  get  other 
churches  in  the  city  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
library  and  to  use  it ;  but  because  of  the  usual  de- 
nominational rivalries  it  remained  more  the  White 
Rock  Sunday  School  Library  than  a  public  insti- 
tution. It  was  supported  thru  the  efforts  of 
Dr.  Moore  and  thru  personal  donations.  Mr. 
George  W.  W^atts  (white)  made  a  gift  of  $100 
toward  its  support. 

Dr.  Moore  was  very  anxious  that  the  little  li- 
brary should  grow  and,  in  its  influence  and  help 
to  the  boys  and  girls,  become  an  addition  to  the 
public  schools  of  the  city.  He  recognized  that 
the  denominational  inc\ibus  might  retard  its 
growth  and  so  decided  that  it  had  better  be 
moved  out  from  the  church  building. 

Mr.  Merrick  had  just  erected  a  building  to  rent 
as  a  place  of  business  on  a  triangular  point  almost 
opposite  his  home  on  Fayetteville  Street.  Dr. 
Moore  proposed  to  rent  this  building  from  him 
for   the   library,   to   which   Mr.    Merrick  gladly 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  61 

agreed.  Under  the  arrangement  in  July,  1916, 
the  building  was  rented  for  about  a  year.  The 
colored  citizens  and  a  few  white  friends  made 
donations  and  kept  the  institution ,  going.  It 
was  then  decided  to  buy  the  building  and  make 
the  library  a  permanent  institution. 

The  property  was  valued  at  $4,000  and  that 
was  the  amount  of  the  sale  price  agreed  upon. 
Mr.  Merrick  gave  $1,000  of  this  amount  back  to 
the  institution  and  the  library  got  a  permanent 
home.  Mrs.  Hattie  B.  Wooten  was  elected  libra- 
rian and  the  following  trustees  were  named :  Dr. 
A.  M.  Moore,  Chairman;  J.  M.  Avery,  Treas- 
urer ;  M.  T.  Norfleet,  Secretary ;  C.  C.  Spaulding  ; 
Mrs.  S.  V.  Norfleet;  E.  D.  Mickle;  Dr.  S.  L. 
Warren;  Mrs.  M.  S.  Pearson  and  J.  A.  Dyer. 

In  June,  1917,  the  city  of  Durham  began  to 
to  give  a  monthly  contribution  of  thirty  dollars 
which  it  raised  in  June,  1918,  to  fifty  dollars  and 
which  it  still  continues.  The  County  of  Durham 
began  in  June,  1918,  to  supplement  this  amount 
by  twenty  dollars  monthly,  which  it  still  con- 
tinues. White  Rock  Baptist  Church  has  given 
five  dollars  monthly  since  the  summer  of  1919. 
Public  and  private  donations  from  both  colored 


62  JOHN  MERRICK 

and    white    friends    have    kept    the    institution 
going. 

The  annual  report  of  the  library,   December 
31,  1919,  contains  the  following  facts: 


Number  of  volumes  at  beginning  of  year  1942 

Number  vokmies  at  end  of  year  2389 

Number  newspapers  and  magazines  14 

Circulations  durins:  the  year  3557 


In  March,  1920,  the  circulation  of  books  had 
grown  to  five  hundred  and  the  report  for  the 
current  year  will  show  a  greater  expansion  than 
ever  before.  The  only  other  Negro  city  library 
in  North  Carolina  is  the  one  at  Charlotte,  estab- 
lisht  several  years  before  the  Durham  Library 
but  not  equalling  its  progress. 

Recapitulation 

John  Merrick,  the  Barber,  we  saw  in  1883, 
prosperous  and  successful  in  his  profession  and 
giving  promise  to  become  one  of  Durham's  fore- 
most citizens.  For  the  next  thirty-three  years, 
from  1883  to  1916,  we  saw  John  Merrick,  the 
Organizer — the  promoter,  the  man  of  affairs,  the 
public-spirited  citizen,  the  benefactor. 

With  others,  he  bousfht  out  a  fraternal  order 


AT  THE  AGE   OF   40 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH       '  63 

and  became  its  treasurer.  With  others,  he  organ- 
ized an  insurance  company  and  became  its  presi- 
dent. With  others,  he  used  his  influence  and 
friendship  with  one  of  Durham's  great  famihes 
in  order  that  a  hospital  might  be  estabhsht,  and 
became  its  president.  With  others,  he  helpt  or- 
ganize a  bank  and  became  its  vice-president,  and 
later  its  president.  With  others,  he  formed  a 
drug  company  which  gave  the  town  two  addi- 
tional colored  drug  stores.  As  the  leader  of  The 
Triangle,  he  formed  a  private  real  estate  company 
so  as  to  promote  the  private  interests  of  his  busi- 
ness associates.  With  his  two  associates  of  The 
Triangle,  he  organized  a  manufacturing  concern 
which,  because  of  a  combination  of  circumstances, 
did  not  succeed,  but  which  suffered  no  financial 
loss.  Thru  his  interest  in  the  welfare  and 
education  of  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  city  he 
provided  a  home  for  the  Library  and  gave  $1,000 
toward  its  maintenance.  This  recital  does  not 
cover  the  private  philanthropy  of  John  Merrick 
but  is  only  a  brief  statement  of  the  most  impor- 
tant events  in  the  life  of  the  colored  people  of 
Durham  in  which  he  either  led  or  contributed  his 
great  influence. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE   NORTH    CAROLINA   MUTUAL  AND   PROVIDENT 
ASSOCIATION 

THE  formation  of  the  North  CaroHna  Mu- 
tual  and  Provident  Association   has  been 
noted  in  the  preceding  chapter.     This  or- 
ganization was  formed  to  engage  in  the  business 
of  Hfe  insurance. 

In  October,  1898,  seven  men  assembled  in 
meeting  and  became  the  charter  members  of  the 
organization.  Their  names  are  John  Merrick, 
A.  M.  Moore,  P.  W.  Dawkins,  D.  T.  Watson, 
W.  G.  Pearson,  E.  A.  Johnson  and  J.  E.  Shep- 
ard.  These  seven  men  organized  the  Company 
and  elected  the  following  officers :  President, 
John  Merrick;  Secretary  and  Manager,  D.  T. 
Watson ;  Treasurer  and  Medical  Director,  A.  M. 
Moore.  The  organizers  invested  fifty  dollars  each 
as  capital  stock  and  business  began  on  April  1, 
1899,  in  Durham  and  Durham  County,  exactly 
twenty-one  years  before  the  setting  down  of  this 
account. 

[64] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  65 

For  some  reason  the  Company  did  not  succeed. 
It  was  difficult  to  secure  business  and  things  went 
badly.  Some  of  the  members  became  discouraged 
and  were  inclined  to  end  the  business.  After 
things  had  lagged  for  a  few  months  a  meeting 
was  called  and  it  was  decided  that  the  Company 
could  not  proceed  further. 

The  Rcorijani:iation 

When  the  true  state  of  affairs  became  known 
among  the  organizers,  two  of  them  got  together 
for  a  conference  and  decided  that  the  Company 
could  be  made  to  go  and  that  the}^  were  not  willing 
to  have  the  plan  abandoned.  One  said:  "Well, 
let's  buy  it  in,  reorganize  and  start  out  fresh. — 
You  bid  it  in;  and  we'll  pay  off  the  original  in- 
vestments and  reorganize  the  Company."  And  it 
was  so  agreed.  When  the  meeting  was  called 
and  dissolution  decided  upon,  Dr.  Moore,  follow- 
ing the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Merrick,  offered  to  pay 
off  with  interest  the  fifty  dollars  which  had  been 
invested  on  condition  that  the  other  organizers 
would  give  a  full  release  of  their  rights  in  the  old 
Company.  This  was  very  willingly  done  since 
most  of  the  organzers  had  already  considered  the 


66  JOHN  MERRICK 

investment  a  dead  loss.     Thus  a  reorganization 
was  effected  and  The  Triangle  was  formed. 

A  year  or  two  before  this  story  a  young  farmer 
boy  came  to  Durham  seeking  opportunity.  He 
secured  a  job  as  dishwasher  in  the  local  hotel  at  a 
salary  of  ten  dollars  per  month,  after  which  he 
was  made  head  bell-boy  and  later  side-waiter. 
He  left  the  hotel  in  order  to  enter  school  and  was 
butler-cook  for  Judge  R.  W.  Winston  for  two 
years  and  for  Mr.  J.  D.  Pridgen,  another  year, 
while  in  school.  He  graduated  from  the  Whitted 
School  in  1898  and  was  made  manager  of  a  col- 
ored grocery  company  just  organized.  The  year 
1898  seemed  to  have  been  a  favorable  year  for 
the  establishment  of  business  among  Negroes  in 
Durham,  and  so  twenty-five  citizens  invested  ten 
dollars  each  and,  with  the  total  of  two  hundred 
fifty  dollars  and  extensive  credit,  opened  a 
grocery  store.  The  twenty-five  depositors 
formed  a  very  happy  nucleus  of  purchasers  for 
the  new  business  and  they  stocked  their  homes 
with  groceries  in  order  to  help  clear  the  shelves 
of  the  store.  Pretty  soon  the  new  shelves  were 
quite  clean  and  the  new  manager  was  taxed  to  in- 
vent some  theory  by  which  he  could  replenish 
them.     He  called  together  the  original  supporters 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  67 

of  the  business  but  some  of  them  seemed  a  bit  un- 
sympathetic, since  they  had  never  received  any 
dividends  from  the  ten-dollar  investment.  At  any 
rate,  they  were  all  willing  to  call  it  square  and  to 
give  the  entire  business  over  to  the  youthful 
manager.  He  continued  to  run  the  establishment 
and  to  extend  credit  and,  after  six  months,  he 
found  himself  three  hundred  dollars  in  debt. 

The  grocer  was  none,  other  than  Charles 
Clinton  Spaulding,  the  Adventurer,  nephew  of 
Dr.  Moore.  At  the  invitation  of  Mr.  Merrick  he 
became  a  member  of  The  Triangle.  He  brot 
with  him  his  debt  of  three  hundred  dollars  and  it 
took  him  the  next  five  years  to  pay  it  off.  The 
new  officers  of  the  reorganized  Company  were: 
President,  John  Merrick;  Treasurer  and  Medical 
Director,  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore;  Vice-President  and 
General  Manager,  C.  C.  Spaulding. 

It  would  be  only  gratuitous,  perhaps,  to  point 
out  here  what  five  men  freely  gave  up  because  of 
lack  of  faith  or  foresight.  It  is  of  course  diffi- 
cult to  judge  the  circumstances  surrounding  these 
pioneers  in  1899.  Doubtless  sufficient  reasons 
existed  to  nullify  their  interest  in  the  attempt  to 
form  a  strong  Negro  insurance  company.  It 
probably  seemed  a  bit  too  ambitious  and  difficult 


68  JOHN  MERRICK 

of  achievement.  Yet  one  man  believed  that  it 
could  be  done,  despite  all  the  hardships  and  diffi- 
culties that  it  would  entail,  and  another  man  was 
willing  to  "see  it  thru."  Fortune  is  such  an  ec- 
centric goddess  that  it  is  often  difficult  to  appease 
her;  but  if  anything  wins  her  smile  and  guaran- 
tees her  favor  it  is  the  kind  of  pluck  that  John 
Merrick  and  Aaron  McDuffie  Moore  possest. 

The  Day  of  Small  Things 

On  the  present  site  of  the  county  court  house  at 
the  intersection  of  Main  and  Church  Streets, 
there  stood  in  1899  a  little  wooden  office  building; 
and  this  corner  was  known  in  that  day  as  Kem- 
per's Corner.  Dr.  Moore,  Treasurer  and  Medical 
Director  of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual,  had  his 
office  there  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  The 
Association  found  in  this  office  a  genuine  wel- 
come, but  very  limited  space,  at  the  cost  of  two 
dollars  per  month.  A  carpenter  made  a  desk  for 
the  sum  of  four  dollars  and  this,  with  four  or  five 
chairs,  w^as  the  total  of  the  office  equipment  of 
the  concern. 

The  directors  got  together  and  allotted  the 
work  of  the  Association  among  them.  Mr.  Mer- 
rick was  to  handle  the  finances,  Dr.  Moore  was 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  69 

to  examine  and  pass  upon  the  policyholders  and 
Mr.  Spaulding  was  to  hustle  the  business  and  de- 
velop the  held.  No  salaries  were  paid  and  the 
manager  was  put  on  commission.  The  manager 
purchased  the  hrst  complete  set  of  books  the  Asso- 
ciation possest  and  started  a  bank  account  and 
checking  system. 

Mr.  Spaulding  gives  this  interesting  account  of 
the  Association  in  its  early  days  :  ''When  I  became 
General  Manager  of  the  Association  it  was  doing 
an  industrial  business  on  the  assessment  plan  and 
paid  sick  and  death  benefits.  Its  debit  or  weekly 
collection  was  $29.40.  I  w^as  manager,  agent, 
clerk  and  janitor  and  had  to  do  local  collecting  as 
well  as  organize  new  fields  in  the  adjacent  coun- 
ties. Dr.  Moore  and  Mr.  Merrick  served  with- 
out salaries,  each  continuing  to  follow  his  chosen 
business  while  I  took  the  field  on  a  commission 
basis. 

"The  first  trip  I  made  aw^ay  from  home  was 
from  Durham  to  Charlotte  and  Hamlet  and  re- 
turn, via  Raleigh.  I  learned  to  talk  insurance  on 
that  trip,  for  I  had  to  depend  upon  my  success  in 
selling  insurance  for  my  traveling  expenses.  I 
landed  in  Sanford  without  funds  and  hustled  all 
day.     When  the  time  came  for  me  to  take  the 


7G  JOHN  MERRICK 

train  to  Raleigh,  I  went  boldly  into  the  station — 
this  was  before  there  were  separate  waiting- 
rooms — and  called  for  a  ticket,  and  then  dis- 
covered that  the  ticket  cost  twenty-five  cents  more 
than  I  possest.  A  white  drummer,  going  also  to 
Raleigh,  was  imprest  by  my  embarrassment  and 
inquired  if  I  did  not  have  sufficient  money,  what 
kind  of  work  I  was  doing,  etc.  I  told  him  what 
my  business  was  and  he  gave  me  fifty  cents,  re- 
fusing to  let  me  return  the  extra  quarter. 

''In  Raleigh,  I  was  much  more  at  home,  since 
I  had  several  friends  there.  I  went  to  the  board- 
ing house  of  Mrs.  Ada  Thornton,  who  was  a 
mother  for  all  young  men  and  explained  my  poor 
success.  She  took  care  of  me  for  a  few  days  and 
lent  me  a  dollar.  I  tried  to  hustle  insurance  but 
everywhere  met  with  discouragement. 

''My  friends  and  others  whom  I  tried  to  in- 
terest were  sympathetic  and  appreciative  of  the 
effort  to  establish  an  insurance  company  but  they 
did  not  believe  it  could  be  done.  They  advised  me 
on  every  hand  not  to  waste  my  time ;  they  told  me 
I  was  a  'bright  young  fellow'  and  ought  to  go 
back  to  school  or  take  hold  of  something  that 
would  be  profitable.  Some  flatly  ridiculed  the  idea 
of  a  Negro  insurance  company.     I  returned  to 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  71 

Durham  thoroly  disgusted  and  quite  willing  to 
resign.  I  would  have  quit  at  this  time  had  it  not 
been  for  the  encouragement  of  Mr.  Merrick  and 
Dr.  Moore.'' 

The  first  crisis  of  the  Association  was  caused 
by  its  first  death  claim  of  forty  dollars.  This  was 
a  matter  of  such  importance  that  it  necessitated 
the  calling  together  of  the  Board  of  Directors; 
and  they  had  to  contribute  from  their  pockets  to 
make  up  this  sum.  The  record  of  this  payment, 
with  the  name  of  the  deceast  and  the  date  of  the 
claim,  would  be  a-  most  interesting  document  to 
set  forth  here  had  it  not  been  destroyed  by  fire 
some  years  later.  This  hasty  meeting  was  called 
and  held  in  the  rear  of  Mr.  Merrick's  barber  shop, 
as  was  often  done  when  he  was  very  busy  and 
could  not  get  out  of  the  shop. 

In  1900  two  rooms  were  rented  on  Main  Street 
in  the  block  above  Kemper's  Corner  and  on  the 
same  side  with  it  up-stairs  over  a  store.  The 
offices  of  the  Association  were  located  here  until 
they  built  a  permanent  home. 

The  new  partners  worked  faithfully  and  busi- 
ness grew  month  by  month.  The  energetic  man- 
ager began  advertising  and  more  business  was 
added.     He  got   The  Blade,  the  colored  paper 


72  JOHN  MERRICK 

then  printed  in  Raleigh,  and  began  writing  to  all 
the  colored  advertisers  in  its  columns.  This  was 
done  with  other  colored  papers  and  the  Associa- 
tion began  to. get  policy-holders  in  different  parts 
of  the  State.  Citizens  became  interested  and 
wrote  for  the  manager  to  come  to  their  towns 
and  introduce   his   work. 

It  soon  became  necessary  to  have  a  local  agent 
and  Mr.  T.  J.  Russell,  who  had  written  some 
insurance  for  the  first  Company,  was  appointed 
on  the  Durham  District.  Mr.  Russell  is  the  old- 
est agent  in  the  employ  of  the  Association.  He 
gives  this  account  of  his  work:  ''When  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  was  organized,  in  1898, 
I  was  working  at  the  Duke  Tobacco  Factory.  I 
suggested  to  my  friend,  P.  W.  Dawkins,  one  of 
the  organizers,  that  I  might  be  able  to  write  some 
insurance  in  the  factory  and  so  he  had  me  ap- 
pointed as  the  first  local  agent  but  not  a  full-time 
employee. 

''The  officers  of  the  Association  had  written 
thirty-eight  applications  for  insurance  and  I 
wrote  the  thirty-ninth.  Strangely  enough,  the 
applicant's  name  was  Early  Mason.  He  has  been 
dead  for  several  years.  I  continued  to  write  ap- 
plications and  remained  at  the  factory  until  some 
time  after  the  reorganization  of  the  Association. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  73 

^'The  work  succeeded  after  the  reorganiza- 
tion and  I  was  offered  an  appointment  as  full- 
time  agent,  when  it  had  grown  too  heavy  for  Mr. 
Spaulding,  who  was  manager,  agent  and  general 
utility  man  in  those  days.  I  decided  to  accept. 
My  foreman  at  the  factory  was  a  very  clever 
man  and  I  had  been  under  him  for  ten  years. 
When  I  told  him  of  my  decision  to  quit,  he  ad- 
vised against  it,  saying  that  the  insurance  Com- 
pany could  not  succeed  and  that  I  would  soon 
have  to  come  back.  But  he  told  me  that  if  I  did 
have  to  come  back,  as  he  expected,  he  would  see 
that  a  place  was  made  for  me  at  the  factory,  if 
he  was  living.  My  salary  at  the  factory  was  six 
dollars  per  week. 

"I  became  local  agent  for  the  Company  March 
3,  1903.  Policy  No.  27  had  been  issued  to  Mr. 
Frank  Lyde  of  this  city,  before  I  had  any  con- 
nection with  the  Company.  When  I  became  agent 
I  began  collecting  from  Mr.  Lyde  and  have  been 
his  collector  ever  since.  He  is  the  oldest  policy- 
holder of  the  Company  and  is  still  following  his 
trade  as  a  brick-mason,  as  he  was  doing  when  he 
joined  the  Company. 

"Two  weeks  after   I  had  quit  the   factory   I 


74  JOHN  MERRICK 

met  the  superintendent  on  the  street  and  he  asked 
me  how  I  was  getting  along.  I  told  him  pretty 
fair.  He  offered  me  twelve  dollars  a  week  if  I 
wanted  to  come  back.  This  was  twice  my  old 
salary  and  more  than  I  was  making  with  the  As- 
sociation. It  was  a  great  temptation.  I  thot 
I  would  see  Mr.  Merrick  and  talk  it  over  and 
that  I  did. 

''Mr.  Merrick  always  had  a  smile  and  always 
could  see^the  bright  side  of  things;  that  is  the 
reason  he  succeeded  so  well.  When  I  told  him  of 
the  offer  I  had  had  he  said  that  was  pretty  good 
and  that  I  was  worth  it.  Then  he  put  his  hand 
on  my  shoulder  and  said:  'Why  don't  you 
brighten  up  and  take  fresh  courage  and  make 
fifteen  dollars  a  week  out  of  your  job  with  us?' 
I  worked  much  harder  and  increast  my  earnings 
and  never  looked  for  a  better  job  after  that;  but 
always  tried  to  make  my  job  a  better  job.  I  had 
faith  in  the  men  at  the  head  of  the  Company  and 
I  saw  a  living  in  it  for  me ;  but  I  never  expected 
that  the  Association  would  grow  as  rapidly  as  it 
has  nor  as  large  as  it  is  today. 

"My  relations  with  my  employers  have  always 
been  most  cordial  and  pleasant,  and  there  are  no 
men  anywhere  that  I  respect  more  highly  than  I 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  75 

respect  them.  Mr.  .Merrick's  death  was  a  great 
loss  to  me  for  he  was  ahvays  my  constant  friend 
and  I  never  forgot  the  lesson  he  taught  me  when 
I  was  considering  going  back  to  the  factory.  He 
advised  me  to  buy  myself  a  home,  which  I  did 
years  ago. 

"As  the  first  agent,  I  had  several  opportuni- 
ties for  advancement  but  refused  to  take  my 
promotions  as  they  came.  I  had  a  growing  fam- 
ily and  did  not  like  to  travel.  So  I  have  stayed 
on  the  home  district  and  have  never  done  any 
work  for  the  Company  anywhere  else,  except  two 
trips  I  made  for  the  manager  to  Wake  Forest 
and  to  Youngsville,  some  years  ago,  when  his 
hands  were  full." 

The  second  oldest  agent  in  the  service  of  the 
company  is  Mr.  L.  A.  Moore,  of  Wilson,  North 
Carolina,  who  is  still  in  the  employ,  of  the  com- 
pany. 

The  story  of  the  growth  of  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  is  a  story  of  sacrifice,  unselfish  toil,  hon- 
est administration  and  cautious  but  steady  ad- 
vance. The  fire  of  1914  destroyed  many  of  the 
early  records  which  would  show  in  detail  the 
steps  of  progress.  However,  certain  facts  are 
perfectly  clear  which  entirely  outweigh  the  evi- 


76  JOHN  MERRICK 

dence  which  was  lost  and  these  facts  are  vastly 
more  essential  to  our  understandino-  of  how  the 
Association  was  promoted. 

The  iirst  big  fact,  contrary  to  the  avowed  no- 
tion, is  that  for  the  first  six  years  of  its  existence, 
the  Association  did  not  earn  any  money  and  did 
not  pay  any  regular  salaries.  It  usually  was  self- 
supporting  during  this  period  but  every  once  in 
a  while  the  officers  would  have  to  go  into  their 
pockets  or  negotiate  a  loan  to  carry  it  thru  a 
difficult  place.  One  year  the  officers  got  fifty 
dollars,  at  Christmas  time.  Another  year  they 
got  two  hundred  dollars  for  the  year's  work.  It 
was  not  until  1905  that  the  business  was  remun- 
erative enough  to  pay  the  president  a  salary  of  one 
hundred  dollars  per  month  and  enable  him  to  give 
up  his  trade.  At  this  time  the  medical  director 
was  giving  a  part  of  his  time  and  received  a 
monthly  stipend  of  twenty-five  dollars.  The  man- 
ager was  on  commission  from  the  outset. 

It  is  perfectly  clear  on  the  strength  of  these 
facts  that  the  Association  could  never  have  grown 
had  not  the  officers  been  already  well  establisht 
and  in  position  to  nurse  it  along  and  wait  for  it 
to  become  a  paying  concern.  They  succeeded  be- 
cause they  were  unseJfish  and  were  already  good 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  77 

business  men  and  because  they  followed  the  same 
policies  which  made  them  personally  successful. 
The  most  striking  thing  of  course  is  the  fact 
that  not  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Association  had 
had  any  previous  experience  in  the  insurance 
field.  They  had  to  learn  the  insurance  business 
and  they  had  to  carry  the  new  Company  while 
they  did  it.  Only  honest  guidance  and  safe  pol- 
ices could  have  made  this  hazardous  venture  the 
great  success  it  has  been. 


CHAPTER  IX 

SUCCESS  BASED  ON  POLICY 

THERE  is  no  mystery  about  the  success  of 
the  North  CaroHna  Mutual;  it  is  simply  a 
story  of  common  sense,  complete  unity, 
hard  work  and  absolute  honesty.  In  other  words, 
the  success  of  the  Company  has  been  due  to  the 
strict  adherence  to  well-establisht  and  long- 
recognized  principles  of  business. 

In  the  first  place,  the  officers  of  the  Company 
have  worked  thru  all  the  years  in  complete 
harmony  and  understanding.  From  the  very  be- 
ginning of  the  business  the  officers  have  met  at 
noon  each  day  for  the  consideration  of  plans  and 
for  their  mutual  profit ;  and  this  custom  is  in  ex- 
istence to  this  very  day.  The  practice  has  made 
all  the  officers  thoroly  familiar  with  every  feat- 
ure of  the  business  and  has  kept  them  all  posted 
on  what  was  going  on.  There  have  been 
no  hidden  secrets,  no  secret  ambitions,  nothing 
unrevealed.  When  error  was  found  it  was  cor- 
rected; but  it  was  the  error  of  all,  because  it  had 
been  the  result  of  mutual  mistake.     It  is  to  be 

[78] 


^; 

' 

o 

c^     t 

•^ 

»— 

•'• 

'       V 

.S  f- 

z 

1  f 

-  r 

11 

2 

r 
< 

;    -     ■' 

S   _ 

t   i; 

u 

- 

:  --  ^  =  -  '■  - 

i  -  :> 

§      i 
a 

v-( 

^ 

r;; 

■ — -, 

-LJ 

r" 

y' 

; 

t — 

-  - 

r  • 

-< 

< 

i'~  . . . .    -, 

- 

^ 

'- 

*_. 

-       '    —    ~    ""     3;    -^ 

^ 

'P' 

7. 

< 

y  i  n  ; 

o  ^ 

y 

?^. 

■J 

?■ 

"  ^  ^  Z  ^  1  i 

^ 

■'  • 

~ 

-   i- 

^ 

H 

;  ^  ji  '  -  =  £ 

?^    < 

^ 

rr 

1  i> 

<-    , 

rl 

'J  ^  I  e  M  1 

> 

^  : 

—  — 

X 

•—     "     ^     X     ^            1."      . 

C_^ 

3 

__  ' 

— 

J-        :'        -       -'                ■       ■£ 

"~    >- 

-^ 

a_ 

1 

^  C 

i- 

-  L !  ^  i  .H 1 1 

-"    — 

\ — 

J 

^    w 

C£. 

—i 

C    ~ 

o 

z 

i    — 

z: 

<! 

a.    c/5 

A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  79 

expected  that  the  famiHes  of  these  men  have 
stood  very  close  together.  Not  only  have  they 
been  business  associates  but  they  have  been 
brothers  and  friends  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 

Some  years  ago,  in  a  publication  of  the  Com- 
pany, there  was  this  comment  on  the  custom  of 
daily  meetings: 

''During  the  past  18  years  of  the  Company's 
existence,  the  officers  have  met  daily  in  confer- 
ence, 'touching  and  agreeing'  on  the  same  point, 
because  they  have  absolute  confidence  one  in  the 
other;  and  by  confiding  in  each  other,  they  have 
learned  to  confide  in  the  public.  Therefore,  if 
there  is  any  secret  to  the  success  of  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  it  is  the  fact  that  its  officers 
have  implicit  confidence  in  each  other  and  have 
allowed  themselves  to  be  swallowed  up  by  the 
Company.  They  realize  that  in  order  for  a  grain 
of  corn  to  bring  forth  fruit  in  abundance  it 
must  die.    This  they  have  been  willing  to  do." 

Whenever  it  has  been  necessary  for  some  one 
of  the  officers  to  take  the  road  for  the  inspection 
of  business  or  for  any  interest  of  the  Company, 
they  have  taken  turns  as  traveling  men  and  gone 
where  the  business  needed  their  attention.  Now, 
of  course,  there  are  traveling  agents  and  inspec- 


80  JOHN  MERRICK 

tors;  but  no  officer  hesitates  to  go  to  any  part 
of  the  field  whenever  it  is  necessary. 

Secondly,  the  officers  of  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  have  been  absolutely  honest.  They  have 
been  honest  not  only  in  the  sense  of  not  appropri- 
ating what  did  not  rightfully  belong  to  them  but 
also  in  the  sense  of  refusing  to  mishandle  the  peo- 
ple's money  or  of  risking  it  in  uncertain  or  ques- 
tionable ventures.  There  is  today  no  taint  of 
misplaced  funds,  of  padded  records,  of  advan- 
tages taken  of  customers,  of  trusts  betrayed. 
There  have  been  no  occasions  of  compromise  or 
dishonorable  adjustments,  no  tieing  of  hands  or 
of  fearing  to  come  to  the  parting  of  the  ways 
with  those  whose  main  interest  was  not  the  up- 
building of  the  concern. 

They  reflected  their  own  honesty  and  honor- 
able dealing  in  their  attitude  to  their  agents.  The 
Company  has  had  to  train  its  agents,  it  goes  with- 
out sa3ang.  Just  as  the  insurance  business  had 
to  be  learned  by  the  officers  they  in  turn  have  had 
to  train  the  field  stafT  upon  whom  they  depend. 
They  always  taught  their  agents  that  there  are 
three  parties  involved  in  an  insurance  contract — 
the  Company,  the  policy-holder  and  the  agent — 
and  that  all  must  be  equally  protected.     They 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  81 

trusted  the  agents  and  thru  the  agents  taught  the 
people  to  be  honest.  It  has  been  the  rule  of  this 
Company  to  allow  the  agents  to  settle  their  own 
sick  claims  before  reporting  their  weekly  collec- 
tions. Many  companies  pay  all  sick  claims  from 
the  Home  Office.  It  has  also  been  the  constant 
practice  of  this  Company  that  sick  claims  must 
be  paid  at  the  end  of  every  seven  days  and  not 
allowed  to  go  over. 

If  honest  policy  needs  any  vindication  there  is 
sufficient  food  for  reflection  in  this  fact:  In  the 
twenty-one  years  of  the  operation  of  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  it  has  prosecuted  only  three 
persons  for  fraud  or  collusion.  A  few  years  ago 
an  agent  wrote  up  tv/o  fraudulent  five  hundred 
dollar  policies,  induced  the  supposed  holders  to 
die,  and  he  and  the  local  physician  collected  the 
thousand  dollars.  The  Company  investigated  the 
cases  and  entered  prosecution.  The  doctor  re- 
ceived two  years  and  the  agent  four,  for  reflec- 
tion. More  recently  an  agent  collected  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  dollars  and  went  on  a  tour  thru 
the  New  England  States.  He  was  located  within 
two  weeks  and  had  ample  time  for  the  next  two 
years  to  write  the  story  of  his  travels. 

The   contrast   between   a    few   dishonest   per- 


82  JOHN  MERRICK 

sons  and  the  thousands  of  agents  and  physicians 
who  have  served  the  Company  honestly  and  well 
is  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  integrity  and  loyalty 
of  the  Negro  people.  The  customary  public  no- 
tion is  against  the  honesty  of  a  corporation  and 
the  temptation  is  to  take  whatever  advantage  of 
it  can  be  had.  With  the  North  Carolina  Mutual, 
however,  the  attitude  has  invariably  been  differ- 
ent; and  it  has  been  due  as  much  to  the  open 
policy  of  the  Company  and  the  trust  it  has  placed 
in  the  public  as  to  anything  else. 

In  many  communities  poor  families  have  been 
without  funds  or  credit  when  death  has  come  to 
their  household.  The  exhibition  of  a  policy  of 
the  deceast  in  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  has 
immediately  been  considered  as  a  sufficient  guar- 
antee for  the  payment  of  necessary  burial  or  other 
expenses.  The  thirty-day  limit  never  expires 
when  a  policy  becomes  payable. 

The  Company  has  never  had  a  judgment 
against  it  and  has  never  been  in  court,  save  in  the 
cases  mentioned  above.  There  have  been  times 
when  it  could  have  gone  into  court  and  stood  on 
its  legal  rights  and  it  might  have  saved  the  pay- 
ment of  claims  which  it  had  good  reason  to  ques- 
tion ;  but  it  has  always  given  the  insured  the  bene- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  83 

fit  of  the  doubt.  But  there  has  never  been  a  com- 
promise of  principle  and  never  an  unwilHngness 
to  vindicate  the  name  or  honor  of  the  Company. 

In  the  third  place,  the  officers  have  been  hard 
workers.  They  applied  themselves  to  the  busi- 
ness of  life  insurance  and  to  its  promotion.  The 
wide-awake  manager  kept  advertising  and  push- 
ing the  work  into  new  fields  and  results  kept 
coming. 

Mr.  Spaulding  studied  methods  of  adver- 
tising from  books,  newspapers  and  magazines  and 
has  made  his  Company  known  thruout  this 
country.  The  Company  distributed  advertising- 
novelties — pencils,  matches,  fans,  thermometers, 
cuspidors,  blotters,  clothes  brushes,  paper 
weights,  trays,  pins  and  art  calendars  with  Negro 
subjects  and  other  things  that  were  attractive. 

One  day  the  manager  w^alked  into  the  office  of 
a  rival  company  in  Washington  and  a  picture  on 
the  wall  struck  his  attention.  It  was  a  reproduc- 
tion of  a  famous  painting.  He  walkt  up  to  it, 
turned  it  over  .and  got  the  address  of  the  printer. 
A  few  weeks  later  he  sent  the  president  of  the 
rival  concern  a  North  Carolina  Mutual  calendar 
with  the  picture  referred  to  as  its  subject.  This 
picture  was  entitled  ''A  Penny  Short"  and  repre- 


84  JOHN  MERRICK 

sented  an  old  Negro  cabin  with  a  candle  stuck  in 
the  neck  of  a  quart  bottle  for  a  light  and  a  typical 
old  Negro  couple  seated  at  a  table  counting  the 
little  money  they  had  saved.  Their  faces  are  puz- 
zled as  the  old  man  counts  on  his  hngers  and 
tries  to  discover  the  missing  penny.  This  picture 
will  be  remembered  by  thousands  of  people  as 
perhaps  the  lirst,  and  as  one  of  the  tinest,  of 
Negro  art  subjects  ever  used  by  an  American 
concern  for  advertising. 

The  manager  sent  one  of  the  calendars  to  Mr. 
Roosevelt,  who  was  then  President.  To  his  sur- 
prise he  got  a  characteristic  Rooseveltian  letter 
and  a  request  for  a  few  more  calendars.  In  1909 
the  manager  was  in  Cuba  on  a  visit  and  went  to 
the  editorial  rooms  of  a  newspaper,  the  La  Lucia. 
On  the  wall  hung  one  of  these  North  Carolina 
Mutual  calendars  with  the  famous  picture,  which 
had  been  sent  to  the  editor  of  the  paper  by  an 
American  friend.  It  served  as  an  interesting 
means  of  introduction  for  the  editor  and  Mr. 
Spaulding  and  they  have  remained  warm  friends 
ever  since. 

The  medical  director  was  ever  on  the  alert  for 
the  protection  of  the  Association,  seeing  that  only 
proper  risks  were  insured  and  that  agents  and 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  85 

physicians  gave  proper  and  thoro  examinations 
for  their  admission.  Attention  had  also  to  be  di- 
rected to  sick  claims  and  the  general  health  of 
the  policy-holders.  All  this  required  vigilance 
and  activity.  Besides,  Dr.  Moore  was  in  private 
practice  and  as  the  oldest  physician  in  Durham 
had  a  very  large  body  of  patients.  The  hospital 
brot  new  duties  as  well  as  the  many  other 
things  to  which  this  big-hearted  man  gave  his 
attention.  The  Association  never  suffered,  how- 
ever, and  he  never  failed  to  look  after  its  inter- 
ests with  an  unselfish  and  untiring  energy. 

It  is  not  empty  words  but  a  confession  of  faith 
that  is  uttered  in  one  of  the  Company's  advertise- 
ments in  1913  which  gives  "A  few  reasons  why 
the  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Asso- 
ciation is  the  best  and  safest  company  for  Negro 
people." 

'Tt  is  the  largest  and  best  managed  Industrial 
Insurance  Company  in  the  States  where  it 
operates. 

"It  has  more  State  bonds  and  mortgage  se- 
curities deposited  with  the  Insurance  Commis- 
sioner than  any  other  company  of  its  kind. 

"It  has  an  enviable  record  of  fifteen  years  for 


86  JOHN  MERRICK 

paying  claims  and  looking  after  its  policy-holders' 
interests. 

''Its  policies  are  in  reach  of  every  person  who 
can  pay  a  weekly  premium  from  five  cents  per 
week  to  an  annual  premium  on  a  five  hundred 
dollar  contract. 

"All  policy-holders  are  treated  alike  and  treated 
right. 

"It  makes  no  extra  assessments  on  its  policy- 
holders. 

"It  gives  employment  to  colored  men  and  wo- 
men. 

"It  doesn't  employ  agents  from  competitive 
companies  unless  they  give  said  companies  the 
required  notice  and  furnish  recommendations  as 
to  their  ability  and  honesty." 

Growth  mid  lixpansion 

It  has  been  noted  that  the  Association  was 
giving  accident  and  health  insurance  on  the  as- 
sessment plan  during  its  early  years.  In  1904 
it  began  to  write  industrial  straight  life;  and  in 
1905  it  began  writing  "ordinary"  policies  as 
"straight  life,"  "twenty-pay"  and  the  "twenty- 
year  endowment"  plan.  The  individual  risk  was 
limited  to  five  hundred  dollars. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  ^7 

In  1904  the  officers  decided  to  buy  some  prop- 
erty and  build  a  home  of  their  own.  This  was 
indeed  a  happy  conclusion  for  it  meant  perma- 
nency and  greater  facilities.  A  lot  was  purchased 
on  Parrish  Street  in  the  heart  of  the  business  sec- 
tion and  a  beautiful  office  building  was  erected  at 
a  cost  of  $8,000.00.  The  moving  of  the  Com- 
pany offices,  as  well  as  other  interesting  develop- 
ments, made  the  year  1905  an  epoch  in  the  history 
of  the  Company's  growth. 

The  year  1905  marks  the  beginning  of  the 
period  of  expansion  for  the  Association  which 
still  continues  and  will  probably  continue  for 
several  years  to  come. 

From  a  local  concern  confined  to  Durham  and 
Wake  counties  in  North  Carolina  with  an  income 
of  nine  hundred  dollars  in  1899  it  grew  to  a  big 
institution  operating  in  two  states  with  a  business 
of  $70,9 12  in  1905. 

South  Carolina  was  the  first  foreign  State  in 
which  the  Company  did  business.  When  the  Asso- 
ciation entered  that  State  there  wxre  thirtv  NeoTo 
companies  doing  insurance  business  there, — some 
of  which  were  very  prosperous.  The  Southern 
States  were  beginning  to  regulate  the  operation 
of  insurance  companies  and  to   require  greater 


88  JOHN  MERRICK 

protection  for  the  policy-holders  because  of  mush- 
room concerns  which  previously  had  fleeced  the 
public  and  gone  out  of  existence.  One  year  after 
the  Association  had  entered  South  Carolina  the 
Legislature  passed  a  law  requiring  all  foreign  in- 
surance companies  to  deposit  ten  thousand  dollars 
with  the  Insurance  Commissioner  of  the  State  to 
guarantee  their  stability. 

The  ^Association  welcomed  the  test  of  its 
strength  but  it  had  not  anticipated  that  this  leg- 
islation would  be  passed  so  soon.  It  had  five 
thousand  dollars  worth  of  real  estate  at  that  time 
but  did  not  have  ten  thousand  dollars  in  cash  to 
put  up.  Once  more  Mr.  Merrick  and  Dr.  Moore 
came  to  the  rescue  and  mortgaged  some  of  their 
personal  property,  along  with  some  of  the  Asso- 
ciation's, and  ten  days  after  the  Insurance  Com- 
missioner had  given  notice  to  the  Company,  the 
manager  w^nt  to  Columbia  and  gave  a  New  York 
draft  on  the  Fidelity  Bank  of  Durham  for  the 
needed  amount.  When  the  newspapers  came  out 
the  next  day  stating  that  the  colored  insurance 
company  of  North  Carolina  had  made  its  deposit 
with  the  Insurance  Commissioner,  every  black 
heart  in  South  Carolina  was  inspired  and  every 
black  face  wore  a  smile.     This  was  lookt  upon 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  89 

as  a  great  achievement  and  it  immediately  won 
the  confidence  of  the  people  and  added  a  great 
volume  of  business  to  the  new  Company. 

The  domestic  companies  were  required  to  make 
a  deposit  of  only  five  thousand  dollars  with  the 
State  Insurance  Commissioner;  but  despite  this 
fact  the  Association  had  only  one  competitor  left 
in  the  field  out  of  the  thirty  or  more  that  existed 
before  its  coming. 

The  work  in  South  Carolina  was  headed  by  the 
late  Joseph  Garner,  a  sterling  young  man  with 
the  finest  qualities.  His  brilliant  work  was  cut 
short  by  the  failure  of  his  health  but  he  had  firmly 
establisht  the  work  of  the  Company  before  his 
health  began  to  fail.  When  he  took  up  the  work 
the  debit  or  weekly  collection  was  only  thirty  dol- 
lars per  week  for  the  entire  State.  He  formed 
classes  and  taught  agents  and  later  became  the 
State  Agent.  The  Association  erected  a  ten  thou- 
sand dollar  office  building  in  Columbia,  the  capital, 
and  its  business  grew  rapidly. 

When  Mr.  Garner  seemed  at  one  time  to  be  im- 
proving the  Association  gave  out  this  release,  in 
tribute  to  his  services:  "Mr.  J.  H.  Garner  is 
State  Agent  for  South  Carolina  and  deserves 
great  credit  for  his  untiring  efforts  in  placing  the 


90  JOHN  MERRICK 

North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Associa- 
tion in  the  front  ranks.  No  sacrifice  has  been  too 
great  for  him  in  furthering  the  cause  of  the  Com- 
pany, in  both  its  ordinary  and  industrial  features. 
Even  thru  his  illness,  which  has  been  continuous 
for  nearly  a  year,  his  zeal  has  not  flagged  nor  his 
energy  abated  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  tasks. 
It  will  be  good  news  to  tell  all  our  agents  that  he 
will  soon  be  able  to  be  at  his  post  of  duty  again. 
His  forethot  and  resourcefulness  have  been 
qualities  upon  which  the  Company  has  relied 
thruout  his  connection  therewith;  and  it  is  reas- 
suring to  know  that  he  is  again  able  to  bear  the 
'wear  and  tear'  of  his  ordinary  routine.'' 

Mr.  Garner  was  made  a  director  of  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1911  which  position  he  held  until  death. 
His  fight  for  a  restoration  of  health  was  a  brave 
one  indeed;  he  went  to  sanitariums  and  resorts 
and  never  gave  up  hope.  But  suddenly,  and  al- 
most without  warning,  the  end  came  while  he  was 
at  Saranac  Lake,  New  York,  in  April,  1915. 

Altho  the  work  of  the  Association  in  the 
Carolinas  had  grown  splendidly,  the  officers  did 
not  push  its  expansion  beyond  these  two  states. 
They  proceeded  with  their  customary  caution 
and  foresight  and  it  was  six  years  before  they 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  91 

entered  new  territory.  Meanwhle,  they  centered 
their  attention  on  the  development  of  the  held 
already  entered  and  in  making  the  Association 
internally  strong. 

The  forms  of  insurance  were  changed  and  an 
increase  was  made  in  the  risks.  Previously  the 
Association  had  been  operated  on  the  assessment 
plan.  It  was  now  changed  to  an  old  line,  ''ordi- 
nary" life  company  and  put  on  the  legal  reserve 
basis  in  1909.  Those  who  are  not  very  familiar 
with  the  principles  of  life  insurance  may  not  ap- 
preciate what  a  big  step  this  was  in  building  up  a 
stable  and  substantial  concern. 

The  assessment  plan  is  one  which  aims  to  fur- 
nish insurance  at  cost,  collecting  the  money  for 
losses  mainly  as  it  is  needed,  and  not  providing 
an  adequate  reserve  to  take  care  of  growing  lia- 
bilities. This  system  has  been  found  to  be  weaker 
than  the  legal  reserve  system  for  several  reasons. 
The  latter  system  requires  that  a  portion  of  each 
premium  paid  by  the  policy-holder  be  set  aside, 
to  become  a  guarantee  for  the  payment  of  the 
policy  when  the  insured  dies  or  when  the  pay- 
ment becomes  due.  This  reserve  is  a  liability  and 
cannot  properly  be  used  for  any  purpose  except 
the  payment  of  policy  claims. 


92  JOHN  MERRICK 

It  is  readily  seen,  therefore,  that  the  transfer 
of  the  Association  to  a  legal  reserve  basis  put  it 
upon  the  high  ground  of  security. 

This  intensity  on  the  work  in  the  Carolinas  and 
the  strengthening  of  the  forms  of  business  had 
excellent  results.  Two  years  after  the  company 
had  moved  into  its  new  quarters,  it  began  to  be 
overcrowded  and  to  need  more  office  space.  It 
bought  adjoining  lots  on  Parrish  Street  and 
erected  other  buildings  totalling  almost  twice  the 
size  of  the  first,  at  a  cost  of  $27,500.00.  The  first 
one  of  the  new  buildings  was  occupied  in  1908, 
and  in  the  same  year  the  Association  erected  a 
ten  thousand  dollar  brick  building  in  Columbia, 
South  Carolina,  for  state  headquarters. 

TJie  Mutual  Album 

Soon  after  the  Association  had  settled  in  its 
new  offices,  1908,  it  compiled  and  publisht  its 
first  and  only  pictorial  album.  The  introduction, 
signed  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Avery,  speaks  very  modestly 
of  its  make-up:  "That  our  agents,  members  and 
friends  may  be  able  to  view  with  just  as  much 
reality  as  possible  the  Home  Office,  the  clerical 
force  and  all  the  other  various  phases  of  life  and 
work  in  the  Home  Office ;  that  they  may  also  have 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  93 

a  glimpse  at  other  lines  of  business  that  are  being- 
conducted  by  our  people  in  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  Building;  that  the  agents  may  come  to 
know  each  other  better — this  little  album  has 
been  arranged  and  publisht.     .     .     . 

"This  album  goes  to  the  public  with  the  wish 
that  it  may  win  admiration  and  remembrance  for 
the  earnest  and  faithful  men  and  women  who 
grace  its  pages." 

A  full  page  cut  of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual 
Block  has  under  it  this  inscription:  ''Lower 
floors  occupied  by  the  following  lines:  Shoe  and 
Hat  Store,  Gent's  Furnishing,  Bank,  Drug  Store, 
Barber  Shop,  all  of  which  are  owned  and  oper- 
ated by  colored  people  of  Durham.  The  entire 
upper  floors  consist  of  the  Home  Offices  of  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Associa- 
tion, together  with  the  administrative  offices  of 
the  Royal  Knights  of  King  David,  Grand  United 
Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  Lawyers  and  Doctors." 

The  next  double  page  gives  a  brief  outline  of 
the  history  of  the  Company  and  an  abstract  from 
the  Tenth  Annual  Statement.  Then  follows  one- 
page  sketches  of  the  President,  Secretary-Treas- 
urer and  Manager.  Half -page  cuts  came  in  the 
following   order:    Four    Interior    Views    of    the 


94  JOHN  MERRICK 

Home  Office,  Durham's  Colored  Physicians  and 
Pharmacists,  Home  Office  Lady  Clerks,  J.  H. 
Allen,  Tailoring  and  Gents'  Furnishings,  William 
Allen's  Barber  Shop,  Mechanics  and  Farmers 
Bank  (Interior),  W.  S.  Ingraham's  Office,  Secre- 
tary G.  U.  O.  O.  F.  and  Southern  Regalia  Co. 
One  page  carried  three  cuts  of  the  Royal  Knights 
of  King  David  offices ;  and  a  double  page  showed 
the  offices  in  South  Carolina  and  the  State  Agent, 
Mr.  J.  H.  Garner.  The  rest  of  the  booklet  was 
given  to  pictures  of  sixty  agents  and  superintend- 
ents at  work  in  the  Carolinas. 

Nezv  Directors 

The  growth  of  business  also  necessitated  the 
increase  of  the  official  family.  Mr.  J.  M.  Avery, 
of  Morganton,  became  traveling  agent  in  1907. 
He  was  made  a  director  of  the  Association  in 
1910.  Mr.  E.  R.  Merrick  had  become  traveling 
agent  in  1909.    He  was  made  a  director  in  1912. 

Up  to  this  year  the  limit  of  individual  risk,  or 
the  amount,  of  money  due  at  the  maturity  of  a 
policy,  had  been  five  hundred  dollars.  It  was 
extended  now  to  one  thousand  dollars.  The 
premium  income  had  grown  from  $70,912  in 
1905,  to  $245,238  in  1910.  The  Association  was 
now  prepared  to  invade  new  territory. 


ii  2 


CHAPTER  X 

FACTS  AND   FIGURES 

WHEN  a  man  has  learned  to  throw  a  lariat, 
it  is  simply  a  question  of  zuhat  he  will 
lasso  next.  So  with  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  after  1910,  it  was  simply  a  question  of, 
''Which  is  the  most  convenient  state  to  capture 
next?"  From  an  old  bit  of  advertising  publisht 
by  the  Association  the  following  paragraph  rep- 
resents the  new  confidence  and  assurance  that  the 
Company  felt  in  itself  at  that  time:  'The  North 
Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Association  did 
not  begin  to  write  ordinary  insurance  until  its 
strength  was  tested  for  several  years  with  the 
industrial  business  but  now  the  Association 
knows  from  actual  experience  just  what  it  can 
and  cannot  afford  to  do." 

For  proximity  to  South  Carolina,  as  well  as 
for  prosperous  and  enterprising  Negroes,  Georgia 
was  the  next  state  selected  in  1911.  The  work 
was  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  E.  R.  Merrick 
and  the  field  was  left  in  charge  of  Mr.  W.  B. 
Mathews. 

[95] 


96  JOHN  MERRICK 

An  advertising  card  printed  in  1913  recites  the 
following  facts: 

Applications   Written   261,000 
Assets  Over  $125,000 

WE  HAVE— 

A  clear  record 

A  bright  future 

No  unpaid  claims 

A   satisfied  constituency 

A  reputation  to  maintain 

Fourteen  years'  experience 

A  high  regard  for  obligations 
A  Key  To  The  Solution  Of  The  Negro   Problem. 

The  fourteenth  Annual  Report  printed  in  1913 
contains  the  following  statements:  ''At  the  close 
of  business  for  1912  the  entire  business  was 
valued  and  as  a  result  it  was  found  that  the  re- 
serve required  by  law  amounted  to  $79,132.60. 
The  actual  assets  of  the  Company  in  cash,  bonds 
and  real  estate  nearly  double  this  amount.     .     . 

''Such  statements  cannot  be  made  with  truth 
about  any  other  Negro  company.  This  fact  be- 
comes more  sharply  defined  when  it  is  remem- 
bered that  many  of  these  companies  began  busi- 
ness before  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  but  still 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  97 

have  but  little,  if  any,  tangible  assets.  .  .  .  The 
Company  is  in  a  class  by  itself  among  Negro  con- 
cerns and  is  competing  with  the  strongest  and  best 
in  the  Nation  in  so  far  as  stability  and  legal  re- 
serve enter  into  its  present  status  or  future  pros- 
pects. 

"This  is  no  idle  boast.  It  is  a  veritable  fact 
which  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  has  demon- 
strated by  the  purchase  of  sixteen  thousand  dol- 
lars worth  of  South  Carolina  State  Bonds  since 
January  1,  1913.  It  owns  forty-one  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  State  Bonds  alone  and  has  an 
untarnished  record  of  nearly  fifteen  years." 

Mr.  J.  A.  Robinson,  a  former  editor  of  the 
Durham  Daily  Sun  (white),  wrote  of  the  Com- 
pany in  this  same  year :  ''There  is  no  gainsaying 
the  fact  that  it  is  to  solid  enterprises  like  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Associa- 
tion, and  the  type  of  men  behind  it,  that  the  Negro 
race  must  look  for  the  permanent  solution  of  the 
vexatious  problems  of  life  and  living  that  confront 
us  day  by  day." 

In  March  of  1913  the  building  caught  on  fire 
during  a  conflagration  which  swept  an  adjacent 
business  block  and  a  property  loss  occurred 
amounting  to  nine  thousand  dollars,  all  of  which 


98  JOHN  MERRICK 

was  covered  by  insurance.  The  great  and  unre- 
deemable loss,  however,  was  the  destruction  of 
early  records  of  the  Association,  a  loss  which 
can  never  be  replaced. 

The  five  years  between  1910  and  1915  almost 
doubled  the  premium  income,  from  $245,238  to 
$416,641.  The  direction  of  the  progress  was 
shifted  in  1915  from  south  to  north.  The  Asso- 
ciation stepped  across  its  northern  border  and 
went  into  Virginia  and  changed  its  course  for 
the  four  years  following. 

A  glance  at  the  ''Black  Belt,"  as  outlined  from 
the  Census  of  1910,  shows  the  main  field  of  opera- 
tion for  the  Association  as  the  southern  section 
of  the  United  States,  beginning  at  Maryland. 
Tennessee  and  Texas  showed  a  Negro  population 
of  approximately  twenty-five  per  cent.  Virginia, 
North  Carolina  and  Arkansas  had  approximately 
thirty-seven  per  cent.  Georgia,  Florida,  Ala- 
bama and  Louisiana  had  approximately  fifty  per 
cent  and  South  Carolina  and  Mississippi  had 
Negro  majorities.  The  Association  had  begun  at 
home  and  gone  thru  South  Carolina  into  Georgia. 
It  now  retraced  its  steps  and  arrived  in  Virginia. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  99 

In  Volume  16,  No.  7,  dated  September,  1916, 
a  four-page  periodical  (now  suspended),  which 
was  called  The  North  Carolina  Mutual,  says : 

''From  a  collection  of  $840  during  the  first 
year,  the  Company  has  grown  to  an  annual  col- 
lection of  over  half  a  million  dollars,  having  con- 
vertible assets  of  nearly  $200,000  with  no  stock 
liabilities,  giving  employment  to  about  700  men 
and  women  of  our  own  race  and  paying  out  over 
twenty  thousand  dollars  per  month  in  sick  and 
death  claims  alone.     .     .     . 

'We  have  the  experience,  the  financial  back- 
ing and  a  clean  reputation  that  is  open  for  your 
investigation.  We  issue  the  most  convenient  and 
reasonable  policies  to  be  had,  including  Straight 
Life,  20-Payment  Life,  Endowment,  Weekly 
Premium  Life,  Infantile,  Sick  and  Accident 
forms,  with  all  modern  provisions  and  benefits, 
any  of  which  will  be  gladly  and  thoroly  explained 
to  you  on  application  to  our  nearest  agent,  or  to 
the  Home  OfBce  of  the  Association,  in  Durham, 
N.  C." 

The  same  issue  gives  a  summary  of  'Ten 
Reasons  Why"  the  Association  is  the  ''Largest 
and  Strongest  Negro  Insurance  Company  in  the 
World.'' 


100  JOHN  MERRICK 

1.  It  has  more  policy-holders. 

2.  It  has  more  net  ledger  assets. 

3.  It  has  no  stock  liabilities. 

4.  It  has  the  largest  agency  force. 

5.  It  has  the  largest  annual  premium  income. 

6.  It  has  the  largest  Home  Office  Building. 

7.  It  'issues  more  kinds  of  policies. 

8.  It  has  five  and  a  half  million  dollars  worth  of  in- 

surance in  force. 

9.  It  has  $120,000  in  the  hands  of  the  Insurance  De- 

partments for  the  protection  of  its  policy-holders. 

10.  It  has  eighteen  years  of  successful  experience ;  seven 

years   operating  on  the   Old   Line   Legal   Reserve 
Basis. 

New  States  and  Interesting  Facts 

In  the  year  1916  the  push  northward  was  con- 
tinued to  the  District  of  Columbia  and  Mr.  Zeph 
P.  Moore  took  charge  of  the  work.  Dr.  Clyde 
Donnell  was  added  to  the  Company  as  Assistant 
Medical  Director  about  the  same  time. 

In  Maryland  a  colored  organization,  the  Family 
Relief  Association,  was  battling  for  existence 
amid  precarious  and  unpromising  circum.stances 
and  the  manager  of  the  concern  appealed  to  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  and  exprest  a  desire  to 
be  merged  with  it.  This  gave  an  opportunity  to 
enter    Maryland   in    1918   and   to    abandon    the 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         101 

march  northward.  Mr.  C.  M.  H.  Johnson  was 
State  Agent.  From  Maryland  the  slant  was  to  the 
South  again  and  Tennessee  was  added  in  the  same 
year,  making  the  seventh  state  in  which  the  Com- 
pany was  operating.  Mr.  Ira  T.  Bryant  was  in 
charge  of  the  field  in  Tennessee. 

Besides  the  additions  of  two  more  states,  the 
year  1918  will  be  remembered  in  connection  with 
the  history  of  the  Association  for  at  least  four 
significant  happenings.  Just  preceding  our  par- 
ticipation in  the  World  War,  the  Durham  Morn- 
ing Herald  (white)  spoke  as  follows,  on  Janu- 
ary 2,  1918:  'The  nineteenth  Annual  Report  of 
the  financial  condition  of  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  and  Provident  Association  shows  that 
this,  the  largest  colored  insurance  company  in  the 
world,  has  continued  to  make  fine  progress  during 
1917.  The  report  show^s  that  there  is  over  twelve 
million  dollars  of  insurance  in  force  in  four  states 
of  the  Union  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  In 
addition  to  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Virginia  and  the  District  of  Columbia, 
in  all  of  which  the  Durham  Company  already 
has  good  business,  application  has  been  made  for 
admission  to  Maryland  and  other  states.  These 
are  included  in  the  plans  of  1918. 


102  JOHN  MERRICK 

''The  North  Carolina  Mutual,  which  was 
founded  by  colored  men  of  Durham,  is  officered 
by  Durham  men  and  under  these  has  attained  its 
position  of  leadership  that  is  unique  in  the  busi- 
ness world,  has  assets  of  $350,000.  The  Annual 
Report  shows  that  these  assets  are  divided  into 
the  following  classes : 

''State  Bonds,  $100,000;  Government  Liberty 
Bonds,  $35,000,  and  the  remainder  in  municipal 
bonds,  first  mortgage  bonds,  real  estate,  policy 
loans  and  cash.  The  annual  rental  income  of  the 
Company  amounts  to  $16,000. 

''The  income  for  1917  was,  in  round  numbers, 
$625,000.  This  was  an  increase  of  $124,000  over 
the  previous  year.  During  the  past  year  the  Com- 
pany has  paid  in  claims  about  $240,000.  The 
gross  assets  have  doubled  during  the  past  three 
years. 

"The  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident 
Association  has  developt  into  an  important  asset 
of  the  City  during  its  nineteen  years  of  existence. 
It  is  no  idle  boast  nor  advertising  motto  that  this 
Company  is  the  'largest  and  strongest  Negro  in- 
surance company  in  the  world.'  It  is  just  that 
and  more.  It  is  managed  along  the  most  modern 
lines  and  is  a  business  which  not  only  the  colored 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        103 

people  may  be  proud  of  but  one  which  also  de- 
serves a  high  place  among  the  new  insurance 
companies  of  the  Southern  States." 

Shortly  after  we  had  entered  the  war,  the 
State  Journal  (white),  of  Raleigh,  on  May  10, 
1918,  publisht  the  following  editorial,  entitled 
"Colored  People  With  Heads  Up":  "Secretary 
McAdoo  has  acknowledged,  the  $100,000  sub- 
scription to  Liberty  Loan  Bonds  by  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  Ass9ciation  of 
Durham  by  declaring  that,  'The  Treasury  De- 
partment has  never  received  a  more  substantial 
expression  of  the  patriotism  of  the  Negro  race  in 
the  South  than  evidenced  in  this  subscription.  It 
is  probably  the  largest  subscription  in  Govern- 
ment securities  ever  taken  by  a  company  com- 
prised of  members  of  the  Negro  race.  This  in- 
surance company  reflects  somewhat  the  sentiment 
of  the  leaders  of  the  Negro  race  in  the  South  as  it 
operates  in  most  of  the  Southern  States.' 

"Secretary  McAdoo  is  a  southern  man  and  his 
tribute  to  the  colored  people  may  be  taken  as  a 
model  for  any  timid  white  man  who  would  deny 
to  them  any  of  the  credit  for  the  large  things  they 
so  often  do.  A  'substantial  expression  of  patriot- 
ism,' Mr.  McAdoo  calls  it;  more  substance  to  it 


104  JOHN  MERRICK 

than  any  ever  made  by  the  race,  perhaps,  but  it 
is  as  spiritual  a  contribution  as  any  race  or  indi- 
vidual has  made." 

The  Financial  Statement  of  December  31,  1918, 
shows  that  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provi- 
dent Association  invested  in  Liberty  Bonds, 
beside  its  full  allowance  of  Thrift  Stamps,  one 
hundred  and  sixty  thousand  dollars..  This  was 
later  increased  to  THREE  HUNDRED  THOU- 
SAND DOLLARS!  This  was  the  answer  of 
black  men  to  the  hysteria  which  was  charging 
them  with  a  hyphenated  Americanism! 

The  second  significant  fact  that  is  worthy  of 
pause  in  connection  with  the  growth  of  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1918  is  the  payment  of  nearly  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  as  "flu"  claims,  besides 
all  other  payments  for  sickness  and  death.  The 
ravages  of  this  dread  disease  made  the  heaviest 
single  toll  upon  the  Association  that  it  had  ever 
experienced;  but  it  created  no  hardship  in  its 
operation.  The  Association  was  now  safely  past 
the  period  when  such  a  liability  could  threaten  its 
continuation  or  imperil  its  existence.  No  more 
concrete  evidence  of  its  stability  exists. 

The  other  two  matters  of  compelling  interest  in 
connection  with  1918  are:  first,  the  limit  of  the 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        105 

individual  risk,  or  the  amount  due  at  the  maturity 
of  the  poHcy,  which  previously  had  been  one  thou- 
sand dollars  was  raised  to  five  thousand  dollars ; 
and,  secondly,  the  annual  premium  income  for  the 
year  1918 — $819,771— indicated  that  the  million 
dollar  mark  would  be  reached  in  1919. 


CHAPTER  XI 

NINETEEN    NINETEEN 

THE  span  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
days,  the  pinch  of  time  which  we  call  a  year, 
is  but  an  imperceptible  dot  in  the  line  of 
human  progress  and  the  onrush  of  unending 
time.  Yet,  within  so  short  a  span  there  may  be 
recorded  events  and  happenings  which  tinge  the 
ages. 

On  May  12,  1919,  the  officers  of  the  Associa- 
tion met  as  usual  at  noon.  They  were  in  session 
for  only  about  twenty  minutes.  As  they  left  the 
manager's  office,  where  it  is  their  custom  to  meet, 
one  of  them  announced,  ''We  have  just  changed 
the  name  of  the  Association."  There  was  in  this 
simple  announcement  the  foreshadowing  of  an 
event,  the  forewarning  of  a  grievous  misfortune 
which  befell  the  human  race  just  eighty-six  days 
thereafter. 

*  sK  *  *  *  H£ 

The  little  assessment  association  of  Durham 
and  Wake  counties,  in  1899,  had  developt  into  a 

[  106  ] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        107 

gigantic  concern  with  a  field  of  seven  great  com- 
monwealths. Its  tread  had  been  measured  but 
continuous.  For  the  first  six  years  it  confined 
itself  to  the  home  state;  then  it  extended  to  the 
sister  state  and  continued  the  intensive  develop- 
ment of  the  two  for  the  next  six  years.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  the  third  southern  state  was 
added  and  there  was  a  pause  for  four  years  with 
the  three. 

The  work  then  headed  north.  In  one  year  after 
Virginia  had  been  entered,  the  National  Capital 
was  annexed  and  the  Association  was  at  the 
border  of  the  sections.  In  two  years  time  it 
''broke  out"  in  two  places  and  then  retired  for 
the  biggest  single  coup  de  main  it  had  ever  exe- 
cuted. With  one  big  sweep  it  bolted  into  Missis- 
sippi, Florida  and  Arkansas  simultaneously.  Mr. 
George  W.  Cox  was  manager  of  Mississippi  and 
Arkansas  and  Mr.  Max  F.  Fraxier,  of  Florida. 

Nineteen  nineteen  had  witnest  the  extension  of 
the  Company  into  ten  great  commonwealths,  mak- 
ing it  a  national  concern  and  the  greatest  single 
index  to  the  administrative  capacity  of  the  Negro 
in  the  world  of  finance. 

In  another  respect  the  year  Nineteen  nineteen 
markt  for  the  Company  a  period  of  transition. 


108       .  JOHN  MERRICK 

This  relates  to  the  growth  of  its  premium  income. 
Stated  by  years,  from  1899  to  1919,  this  was  as 
follows : 

1899 - $  840.00 

1900   1,265,00 

1901    2,640.00 

1902 3,228.00 

1903    10,330.00 

1904    26,912.00 

1905    70,912.00 

1906  104,997.00 

1907  139,818.00 

1908  187,136.00 

1909 220,100.00 

1910 245,238.00 

191 1  260,000.00 

1912 313,516.00 

1913 358,31 1.00 

1914 404,766.00 

1915 416,641.00 

1916  501,198.00 

1917  624,794.00 

1918 819,771.00 

1919  1,224,541.00 

The  twenty-first  Annual  Report  of  the  Com- 
pany shows  that  the  total  amount  of  insurance 
in  force,  the  amount  of  insurance  which  has  been 
written  with  the  Company,  is  tzventy-six  and  a 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        109 

half  millions!  The  insurance  in  force  had 
reacht  the  milHon  dollar  mark  in  1904,  the  mil- 
lion and  a  half  mark  in  1909.  In  1914  the  jump 
was  to  four  millions.  From  1914  to  1919  there 
was  an  unprecedented  increase  of  twenty-two 
millions ! 

The  entire  income  for  the  year  1919  was  one 
million,  seven  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which 
forty-two  thousand  dollars  represented  rents  and 
interest.  These  amounts  are  so  staggering  for 
the  ordinary  mind  that  they  cannot  be  fully 
graspt.  Reduced  to  simpler  terms,  the  rate  of 
income  for  the  Company  in  the  year  1919  had 
grown  to  over  FOUR  THOUSAND  DOLLARS 
PER  DAY! 

The  assets  of  the  Company  had  climbed  up 
near  the  million  dollar  mark,  nearly  a  half  million 
being  invested  in  stocks  and  bonds,  including  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars  Worth  of  Liberty 
Bonds. 

In  the  disbursements  of  the  Company  in  1919, 
it  paid  sick  and  death  claims  and  other  payments 
to  policy-holders  amounting  to  over  four  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  The  commission  to  agents  was 
nearly  a  half  million  dollars;  salaries,  postage, 
printing  and  other  expenses  were  nearly  one  hun- 


110  JOHN  MERRICK 

dred  thousand  dollars.    Medical  examination  fees 
were  nearly  seventy  thousand  dollars. 

No  one  can  tell  the  emotion  that  swept  the 
heart  of  John  Merrick  as  he  saw  the  full  fruition 
of  his  idea,  in  Nineteen  nineteen,  and  realized  that 
his  life's  work  was  complete.  He  had  been  dread- 
fully ill  and  had  suffered  the  loss  of  a  foot  in  the 
endeavor  to  keep  his  body  alive ;  but  his  work  was 
done  and  his  sun  was  about  to  set.  He  alone 
knew  it. 

June  came  and  with  it  the  annual  conference 
of  agents,  an  institution  started  by  the  officers  in 
1917.  Many  of  these  faithful  men  and  women 
had  attended  each  year,  coming  from  the  several 
states  they  represented.  They  had  come  and 
gotten  inspiration  from  John  Merrick;  they  had 
received  his  ''well  done"  and  they  had  gone  home 
to  do  better  work.  This  time  he  was  not  there  to 
meet  them  but  sent  a  personal  word  that  he  was 
imploring  his  physician  and  was  hoping  to  see 
them  before  they  left  the  meeting.  They  inquired 
eagerly  after  him  and  awaited  his  coming  anxi- 
ously. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        111 

The  following  account  of  the  meeting  appeared 
in  the  Durham  Aborning  Herald  (white)  on 
June  20: 

''The  doctrijie  of  self-help  has  been  preacht  to 
the  Negroes  for  the  past  twenty  years  by  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company 
which  was  started  by  John  Merrick,  who  left  his 
barber  chair  and  built  up  the  strongest  and, 
wealthiest  insurance  company  in  America  op- 
erated by  Negroes.  The  twentieth  anniversary 
of  the  insurance  Company  is  now  being  celebrated 
at  White  Rock  Baptist  Church. 

"At  the  opening  yesterday  morning  there  were 
250  agents  and  representatives  present  and  other 
noted   colored   men   from  various   parts   of   the 

country Men  and  women  are  here  from 

ten  states  and  the  District  of  Columbia  and  they 
came  not  on  a  frolic  or  a  good  time  but  on  busi- 
ness and  for  the  discussion  of  the  fundamental 
problems  which  would  mean  advancement  to 
their  people. 

''Vice-president  and  general  manager,  C.  C. 
Spaulding,  called  the  meeting  to  order  and  pre- 
sented Dr.  A.  M.  Moore,  secretary-treasurer,  who 
presided.  'It  is  no  more  a  question  in  the  minds 
of  the  American  people  as  to  whether  or  not  the 


112  JOHN  MERRICK 

Negroes  can  unite  and  carry  on  large  business 
enterprises,  involving  the  handling  of  dollars  up 
into  the  millions/  said  Dr.  Moore,  'for  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  has  answered  the-  question,  and 
I  am  proud  to  see  that  you  have  come  up  here 
nearly  300  strong  to  see  for  yourselves  and  to  go 
back  and  better  tell  your  people  what  we  are 
doing.  I  need  not  tell  you  that  you  are  welcome 
for  you  know  that.  We  are  just  proud  to  have 
you  here.  This  is  the  greatest  city  in  the  country. 
The  white  people  and  colored  people  are  too  busy 
to  have  racial  differences;  each  is  attending  to  his 
own  business  and  has  no  time  to  look  after  that 
of  the  other  fellow.  We  believe  in  thrift  and  in 
building  up.' 

"Each  agent  was  introduced  by  announcing  his 
name,  telling  his  locality  and  stating  the  volume 
of  business  being  carried  on  by  him.  Following 
this,  C.  C.  Spaulding  was  presented  and  delivered 
a  practical  business  address,  pleading  with  his 
people  to  make  friends  of  the  races  in  their  com- 
munities, that  all  might  live  together  in  peace. 
He  declared  that  he  was  not  in  a  speaking  con- 
dition, because  of  the  illness  of  his  wife  and 
mother,  but  wanted  to  take  advantage  of  the  op- 
portunity to  say  a  few  words.     He  paid  a  high 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        113 

tribute  to  John  Merrick,  the  president,  whose  Hfe 
had  been  spared,  altho  he  had  lost  a  foot. 

"Among  other  things  vice-president  Spaulding 
said,  The  Negro's  future  in  America  depends 
more  on  what  he  does  for  himself  than  on  what 
others  may  do  for  him.  I  am  proud  that  the  Negro 
is  no  longer  regarded  as  a  baby  but  as  a  full 
grown  man  and  must  therefore  take  the  place  of 
a  man.  He  must  do  things  and  not  sit  down  and 
complain.     ... 

"  Twenty  years  ago  we  began  business  in  a 
rented  room,  paying  two  dollars  a  month  for  it, 
and  we  had  one  clerk.  Now  we  have  our  own 
building,  paid  for,  and  with  forty  clerks.  Then 
we  were  operating  in  one  county;  now  we  are 
operating  in  ten  states.  Then  we  were  issuing 
one  grade  of  policy;  now  we  are  issuing  seven. 
We  have  insured  over  500,000  people  and  have 
invested  over  a  half  million  dollars  in  stable  se- 
curities, including  $200,000  which  is  invested  in 
United  States  Liberty  Loan  Bonds.  When  the 
Government  needed  money,  we  were  in  a  position 
to  respond. 

"  'Our  agency  force  is  represented  by  nearly 
one  thousand  of  the  leading  men  and  women  of 
the  race  in  their  several  communities.     Last  year 


114  JOHN  MERRICK 

we  paid  out  $100,000  for  influenza  claims  alone, 
we  paid  over  $35,000  for  medical  examinations, 
and  have  paid  over  $4,000  for  medical  examina- 
tions in  the  past  month.  This  looks  as  if  the 
Negro  is  helping  himself. 

''  'The  Negro  is  proud  of  his  race  and  is  not 
trying  to  get  away  from  it.  He  wants  to  get 
closer  to  himself  and  to  improve  himself  and 
make  fuller  use  of  his  opportunities  for  develop- 
ment. We  are  waking  up  and  are  learning  to  do 
big  business  and  to  become  a  bigger  people.' 

"During  the  delivery  of  the  address,  Merrick 
entered  the  house,  accompanied  by  his  daughter, 
and  five  hundred  people  stood  and  sang,  Traise 
God  from  Whom  All  Blessings  Flow.'  Follow- 
ing the  address  president  Merrick  was  presented. 
He  broke  down  in  tears.  He  said,  T  am  glad  to 
meet  you.  Yes,  I  came  here  anyway.  I  could 
not  help  from  shedding  a  few  tears  when  I  came 
in.  I  am  not  going  to  talk  loud  nor  long  because 
I  am  not  a  loud  speaker  and  my  nerves  will  not 
allow  me  to  talk  long;  but  I  have  come  in  here  to 
look  on  some  of  the  friends  that  I  haven't  seen 
in  two  or  three  years,  and  some  that  I  have  never 
seen. 

''  T  don't  w^ant  anybody  in  the  house  to  think 
that  I  am  shedding  a  tear  because  of  this  figure 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        115 

(pointing  to  leg).  I  am  not  shedding  tears  for 
that  but  I  am  thanking  God  that  there  is  this 
much  of  me  left  and  that  I  can  come  in  here  and 
see  you.  I  have  more  to  thank  God  for  than  every- 
body put  together  in  this  house. 

"  'I  do  want  to  say  a  great  many  things  to  you, 
friends,  and  to  speak  about  the  things  you  have 
done  and  the  things  you  are  doing  and  the  things 
you  have  got  to  do.  That  is  the  chief  thing  that 
I  have  thot  of  and  I  have  thot  of  that  so  often. 
(Breaks  down  and  cries.-)  As  long  as  it  is  God's 
will,  I  want  this  institution  to  move,  for  men  to 
support  their  families;  and  God  will  let  it  live. 
That  is  what  I  am  interested  about  and  God 
knows  it.  I  want  this  institution  to  live  and  she 
will!    God  bless  you  all.'  " 

The  North  Carolina  Mutual  and  Provident  As- 
sociation had  been  John  Merrick's  dream,  his 
ideal,  his  offspring.  For  years  he  had  labored 
for  it,  nourisht  it  and  watcht  it  grow.  From 
feebleness  it  rose  to  strength;  from  infancy  to 
maturity.  As  a  young,  growing  thing,  it  had 
been  his;  for  it  he  lived,  sacrificed  and  toiled 
and  was  its  chief  dependence.  But  now  it  was  no 
longer  his;  it  belonged  to  twelve  million.  It  did 
not  even  bear  the  appellation  with  which  he  had 


116  JOHN  MERRICK 

christened  it  when  he  called  it  into  being.  It  had 
been  given  another,  a  more  suitable  name.  It 
was  a  new  and  strange  thing,  no  longer  the  cling- 
ing ascription  of  personality ;  it  had  grown  a  huge 
and  impersonal  thing  with  a  separate  identit3^ 
With  the  passing  of  the  creation  but  one  experi- 
ence remained  for  its  creator. 

Nineteen  nineteen  brot  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  to  the  full- 
bloom  of  its  strength  and  sent  the  name  of  John 
Merrick  thundering  down  the  ages! 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE  LARGER  SIGNIFICANCE  OF  THE  NORTH 
CAROLINA    MUTUAL 

THE  tremendous  contribution  that  the  North 
CaroHna  Mutual  has  made  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Negro  group  in  America  and 
to  the  Hf  e  of  the  Twentieth  Century  of  the  world's 
progress  cannot  be  measured  in  terms  of  money 
value.  That  contribution  is  social  as  well  as  eco- 
nomic. And  therein  lies  the  quintessence  of  the 
merit  which  must  be  the  basis  for  whatever  of 
value  the  future  historian  shall  place  upon  its 
work. 

The  Negro  people  in  the  United  States  are  in  a 
peculiar  situation.  They  are  surrounded  by  the 
imperfect  civilization  of  the  great  Anglo-Saxon 
race  which,  altho  it  is  now  but  a  promise  of  the 
final  justification  of  the  creation  of  man,  is  the 
highest  social  order  yet  attained  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  human  race.  Despite  its  imperfec- 
tions, it  embodies  the  choicest  elements  and  rep- 
resents the  consummate  outline  of  human  prog- 
ress toward  the  approximation  of  the  Christian 

[117] 


118  JOHN  MERRICK 

ideals  and  virtues  and  the  realization  of  the  mil- 
lennium on  earth.  It  is  the  order  of  civilization 
with  which  the  Negro  in  the  United  States  must 
co-operate  or  under  which  he  must  perish.  This 
is  true  in  the  nature  of  the  case.  A  dominant  race 
would  never  tolerate  within  its  midst  another  race 
with  a  distinctly  different  social  culture;  to  do 
otherwise  would  be  to  imperil  its  own  civilization. 
Furthermore,  the  weaker  race  can  only  attain 
self-expression  and  self-development  thru  the 
medium  of  the  dominant  civilization;  for  that  is 
the  only  norm  by  which  it  will  be  valued  and  the 
dominant  race  will  be  the  judge. 

If  these  observations  are  correct,  then  it  natur- 
ally follows  that  the  Negro,  as  a  weaker  but  com- 
peting race,  will  be  recognized  by  the  dominant 
race  only  in  so  far  as  he  approximates  the  culture 
of  the  dominant  civilization.  That  does  not  mean 
that  the  Negro  will  ever  develop  into  a  white 
man;  it  means  that  he  will  select  and  absorb  the 
constructive  elements  of  true  progress  from  the 
civilization  that  surrounds  him  and  modify  and 
improve  them  with  his  own  racial  characteristics. 

Therefore  any  evaluation  of  the  work  of  the 
North  Carolina  Mutual  and  its  contribution  to 
the  life  of  the  Negro  people  in  the  United  States 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        119 

must  be  determined  by  the  effect  it  has  had  upon 
the  status  of  the  Negro  race.  In  order  to  illumi- 
nate this  viewpoint  it  might  be  well  to  trace  some 
of  the  benefits  that  have  resulted  from  the  devel- 
opment of  the  Company. 

In  the  establishment  of  an  insurance  company, 
John  Merrick  had  in  mind,  above  all  other  things, 
the  protection  of  the  Negro  family  against  the 
poverty  that  usually  followed  the  death  of  its 
bread-winner  and  made  the  family  so  often  a 
charge  upon  the  public.  In  his  last  thot  about 
the  future  of  the  concern  he  said :  ''As  long  as  it  is 
God's  will,  I  want  this  institution  to  move,  for 
men  to  support  their  families."  He  had  seen  the 
Dukes  building  a  great  concern  by  supplying  a 
commodity  at  the  small  price  of  five  cents,  and  it 
is  said  that  this  led  to  his  notion  of  starting  a  com- 
pany which  would  give  industrial  policies  for 
weekly  payments  from  five  cents  up. 

He  was  only  one  of  a  host  of  Negro  leaders  who 
were  thinking  about  the  financial  condition  of 
the  race  and  giving  body  to  their  thots  in  the 
formation  of  various  enterprises  for  its  com- 
mercial upbuilding.  Insurance  companies  were 
being  organized  in  several  states  in  the  South; 
one  had  already  been  started  in  North  Carolina 
at  Charlotte. 


120  JOHN  MERRICK 

A  great,  struggling  people  had  received  their 
physicial  emancipation  but  were  poor  and  ill- 
prepared  for  the  pursuit  of  life.  Upon  this  ne- 
cessity of  the  mass  many  charlatans  had  preyed 
with  schemes  and  tricks  to  deceive  the  ignorant 
and  to  enrich  themselves.  The  feeble  confidence 
in  themselves  which  black  men  had  been  nursing 
since  the}^  were  weaned  from  their  white  masters 
had  been  much  abused. 

The  establishment  of  the  North  Carolina  Mu- 
tual meant  that  a  new  institution  to  promote  thrift 
and  saving  had  been  opened  to  the  Negroes  of 
this  section  and  one  which  was  trustworthy  and 
reliable.  The  race  was  skeptical  and  suspicious 
until  the  Company  had  proved  its  worthiness  of 
public  support;  and  when  that  had  been  done  the 
hearty  co-operation  of  the  race  was  assured.  The 
institution  has  stimulated  deeper  and  wider  faith 
in  the  honesty  of  Negro  leaders  on  the  part  of  the 
members  of  their  race. 

As  a  competing  concern  in  the  insurance  world, 
the  Company  has  followed  the  well-establisht 
principles  of  the  business  and  is  one  of  the  most 
efficient  companies  in  the  field  today.  It  has 
undergone  the  rigid  examinations  of  the  Insur- 
ance Commissioner  of  the  State,  the  actuaries  and 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        121 

auditors  whose  duty  it  is  to  supervise  its  operation 
and  regularly  attest  its  security  in  behalf  of  the 
public.  Its  offices  are  modernly  equipt  with 
vaults,  steel  cabinets,  electric  adding  and  calculat- 
ing machines,  electric  multigraph,  addressograph 
and  photostat  machines. 

The  Home  Office  comprises  nine  departments 
which  do  the  work  of  the  Company:  executive, 
auditing,  industrial  life,  ordinary  life,  listing, 
printing,  medical,  statistical  and  actuarial.  Each 
department  is  headed  by  a  competent  manager 
who  is  required  to  make  a  weekly  report  to  the 
Board  of  Directors,  so  that  they  are  kept  in  touch 
with  every  detail  of  the  work.  The  "gain  and 
loss  exhibits"  serve  as  a  compass  by  which  the 
officers  can  tell  at  a  glance  which  way  they  are 
traveling.  These  are  tables  computed  on  each 
item  of  operation— running  expenses,  mortality, 
interest,  annuities,  surrenders,  lapses  and 
changes,  real  estate  and  miscellanies,  and  show 
the  losses  and  gains  in  each  item. 

A  business  concern  must  have  honest  men  at 
its  head  to  be  ultimately  successful;  but  in  addi- 
tion to  that  these  men  must  have  ability.  Ex- 
perience in  business  methods  is  essential  in  the 
direction  of  large-scale  business  but  capacity  for 


122  JOHN  MERRICK 

adaptation  and  enlargement  counts  more  than 
mere  knowledge  of  routine.  So  many  Negro  con- 
cerns have  failed  because  they  were  conducted  like 
Abraham  Lincoln's  postoffice — in  the  promoter's 
hat.  The  management  of  the  North  Carolina 
Mutual  and  its  unusual  success  have  done  much 
to  command  respect  for  the  administrative  talent, 
capacity  and  efficiency  of  the  Negro  business  man. 

One  of  the  lessons  which  the  Negro  has  been 
slow  to  learn  is  that  the  man  who  controls  the 
business  of  the  community  is  the  man  who  will 
control  the  jobs  created  by  that  business.  The 
only  way  for  the  Negro  to  open  new^  avenues  of 
service  for  the  young  men  and  women  of  the 
race  is  for  Negroes  to  build  commercial  enter- 
prises and  control  the  positions  which  such  enter- 
prises will  create.  This  is  such  common  sense  phi- 
losophy and  is  now  so  well  recognized  that  it 
hardly  needs  restatement.  Before  the  Negro 
race  can  arrive  to  its  full  measure  of  strength  it 
must  multiply  the  sources  of  its  internal  devel- 
opment. 

The  "door  of  hope"  which  will  never  be  closed 
to  young  Negro  men  and  women  of  aspiration  and 
which  will  swing  wider  and  wider  on  its  hinges 
as  the  surging  stream  of  young  humanity  sweeps 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        123 

across  its  threshold  will  be  that  portal  which  the 
race  thrusts  open  by  its  own  initiative  and  en- 
terprise. 

The  North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company  has  held  this  door  ajar  for  twenty  years 
and  thru  it  thousands  have  past.  The  Company 
is  today  employing  more  than  twelve  hundred 
souls !  The  list  of  employees  in  the  service  of  the 
company  in  January,  1920,  was  as  follows : 

Agents    - - - 725 

Medical   Examiners    251 

District    Office   Employes    79 

Superintendents 54 

Home    Office   Employes 43 

General    Agents 46 

District    Managers    16 

State  Agents  7 

Executive   Officers   6 

Traveling  Agents  - 3 

Total 1,230 

No  greater  service  has  been  performed  by  this 
Company — and  no  more  important  service  could 
be  performed — than  that  which  it  is  rendering  in 
the  promotion  of  the  health  of  the  race.  In  the 
beginning  the  Company  had  to  depend  upon  white 


124  JOHN  MERRICK 

physicians  almost  entirely  for  the  examination  of 
its  applicants.  When  the  number  of  Negro  phy- 
sicians began  to  increase  they  were  not  often 
prepared  to  make  proper  examinations.  They 
did  not  have  instruments  for  the  taking  of  blood 
pressure  and  urinalysis  and  the  getting  of  other 
detailed  information  needed  for  full  examina- 
tions. The  medical  director  has  had  to  educate 
the  examiners  in  these  matters;  and  they  have 
been  discust  in  the  agents'  meetings  and  in  the 
medical  conventions  of  the  various  states. 

As  the  number  of  doctors  has  multiplied  and 
the  profession  developt  and  kept  pace  with  the 
progress  of  science  these  deficiencies  have  been 
remedied.  When  a  physician  became  an  exam- 
iner for  the  Company  and  made  his  office  a  mod- 
ern laborator}^  he  became  better  equipt  for  his 
general  practice  and  the  health  of  the  commun- 
it}^  was  correspondingly  bettered.  The  office  of 
the  medical  director  has  a  special  bulletin  ser- 
vice which  it  sends  regularly  to  all  its  examiners 
and  which  it  extends  to  the  general  profession. 

Not  only  has  the  Company  attempted  to  safe- 
guard the  health  of  its  policy-holders — as  a  mat- 
ter of  self-defense — but  it  has  scattered  informa- 
tion far  and  wide  in  thousands  of  communities  on 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        125 

public  health  matters  thru  leaflets  of  its  own 
and  matter  furnisht  by  the  State  Board  of 
Health  and  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service.  The 
Company  gave  full  co-operation  in  the  national 
campaign  against  the  menace  of  venereal  disease 
and  enclosed  in  its  letters  thousands  of  posters 
which  were  furnisht  by  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment. 

The  Negro  physician  is  keeping  pace  with  his 
profession  and  is  rendering  a  service  to  the  public 
health  which  is  by  no  means  fully  realized  by  the 
white  public.  The  physicians  who  have  ex- 
amined for  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  have  not 
only  been  true  to  the  ethics  of  their  profession 
and  honest  with  themselves  but  they  have  also 
matcht  the  spirit  of  the  company  in  helping  to 
promote  urisellishly  the  general  health  of  the 
race  thru  the  medium  of  preventive  care. 

The  handicap  which  the  Negro  suffers  in  not 
being  able  to  get  insurance  with  most  white  com- 
panies and  in  having  to  pay  higher  rates  in  the 
few  that  are  willing  to  take  him  is  freely  admitted 
and  has  been  rnuch  discust  in  the  leading  insur- 
ance journals  of  the  country.  This  discrimina- 
tion is  based  upon  the  high  mortality  of  the  race. 
This  high  death  rate  is  the  most  damning  result 


126  JOHN  MERRICK 

of  the  segregation  of  the  race  into  inferior  Hving 
quarters.  The  white  companies  claim  that  they 
cannot  sell  insurance  to  Negroes  as  cheaply  as  to 
whites.  They  are  not  justified  however  in  refus- 
ing to  sell  insurance  to  Negroes  at  all. 

In  the  field  of  insurance  there  are  now  no  ex- 
perience tables  on  purely  Negro  risks.  The  Am- 
erican Mortality  Tables  have  been  formulated 
from  the  experience  of  white  companies  and  are 
now  the  only  experience  tables  in  use.  In  another 
year  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company  will  be  able  to  give  true  mortality  rates 
for  Negroes  as  a  result  of  its  twenty  years  of  ex- 
perience in  insuring  them  as  a  class.  This  will  be 
a  definite  contribution  to  the  insurance  field  and 
will  settle  a  vexing  question  that  has  resulted 
heretofore  to  the  Negro's  disadvantage. 

Modern  society  is  such  a  complex  and  inter- 
woven mixture  of  cause  and  effect  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  trace  clearly  the  stimuli  which  motivate 
and  induce  great  reactions  in  a  mass  of  people. 
Therefore,  one  is  inevitably  led  into  a  fallacy  in 
attempting  to  prove  a  single  factor  to  be  the 
greatest  stimulus  in  overthrowing  the  inertia  of 
a  submerged  and  economically  dependent  class. 
However,  the  success  of  the  North  Carolina  Mu- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        127 

tual  in  its  unifying  and  inspiring  effect  upon  the 
material  progress  of  the  race  needs  no  extrava- 
gant statement  to  place  it  among  the  most  potent 
and  power-producing  factors  in  the  recent  history 
of  the  Negro. 

Could  there  be  a  scientific  approximation  of  the 
real  but  intangible  force  which  this  great  organi- 
zation has  generated  in  the  encouragement  of 
confidence  and  the  inducement  to  enterprise,  its 
net  eff'ect  in  promoting  the  present  financial  urge 
of  the  Negro  people  could  be  shown  to  be  both 
startling  and  invigorating.  It  is  only  reasonable 
to  predicate  that  not  only  have  myriad  com- 
mercial concerns  sprung  into  existence  thruout 
the  South,  whose  promoters  were  inspired  and 
encouraged  by  the  success  of  this  Company;  but 
also  thousands  of  the  young  men  and  women  of 
the  race  have  been  uplifted  because  of  its  con- 
spicuous achievement. 

Among  the  many  messages  that  came  from  the 
distrest  admirers  of  John  Merrick  to  his  widow 
and  family,  none  is  more  impressive  than  this 
simple  story  from  an  unknown  Negro  lad,  out  in 
Arkansas:  "I  personally  feel  the  loss  our  race 
sustains  in  the  death  of  your  husband.  I  belong 
to  two  prominent  young  men's  clubs  out  here  and 


128  JOHN  MERRICK 

whenever  men  of  worth  and  business  tact  were 
up  for  discussion  Mr.  Merrick's  name  was  more 
or  less  always  mentioned.     .     .     . 

"Here  in  Arkansas,  last  month,  a  young  man 

by  the  name  of  C organized  a  company  to 

make  overalls.     Last  Saturday  this  State  granted 

him  the  charter.    Mr.  C ,  who  owns  good 

property  here  and  considerable  money  says,  'What 
Mr.  Merrick  has  done  in  the  insurance  business 
has  given  me  my  greatest  inspiration.'  " 

Thus  far  we  have  considered  the  important  en- 
richment to  the  inner  life  of  the  race  which  came 
as  a  result  of  the  life  and  work  of  John  Merrick. 
It  remains  for  us  to  consider  its  greater  and 
broader  significance  as  it  relates  to  the  status  of 
the  Negro  race.  In  the  eyes  of  the  world  a  strug- 
gling people  are  regarded  as  either  elevated  or  de- 
based in  proportion  to  the  brilliance  of  their  ac- 
complishments or  the  misery  of  their  mediocrity. 
The  conspicuous  failings  of  the  few  will  inevi- 
tably be  imputed  to  the  group  and  regarded  as  a 
proof  of  inherent  racial  inferiority.  Failure  to 
overcome  immediately  the  handicap  of  circum- 
stances furnishes  the  most  satisfying  basis  for 
the  pre-determined  theory  avowed  by  the  self- 
ordained  judges  of  mankind.     Like  all  fallacious 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         129 

assumptions  it  is  often  and  ever  upset  and  the 
line  of  demarcation  rendered  more  and  more  ob- 
scure by  the  forbidden  but  nevertheless  accom- 
plisht  eminence  of  members  of  the  submerged 
group. 

In  the  unclouded  light  of  reason  and  fair- 
minded  judgment,  the  capacity  of  a  race  for  cul- 
ture and  advance  is  evidenced  by  the  achievements 
of  its  leaders.  The  men  and  women  of  unselfish 
purpose  and  unsullied  character  who  become  the 
torch-bearers  for  their  generation,  who  envisage 
its  prospects  and  extend  the  outlines  of  its  en- 
deavor, add  to  the  sum  total  of  human  hope  and 
rekindle  the  divine  spark  in  the  human  breast. 

One  of  the  most  important  and  practical  re- 
sults that  have  followed  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  has  been  the 
tempering  of  race  relations  in  North  Carolina 
and  particularly  in  the  city  of  Durham.  Here, 
again,  one  must  not  indulge  in  extravagance  and 
over-statement.  The  relations  between  the  races 
in  North  Carolina  have  always  been  cordial  and 
friendly;  that  is  a  part  of  the  tradition  of  the 
Old  North  State. 

This  happy  relation  has  been  emphasized  in 
previous  chapters  to  show  how  it  has  actually 


130  JOHN  MERRICK 

contributed  to  the  advancement  of  the  colored 
people  and  to  the  making  of  John  Merrick.  Not 
only  did  his  white  friends  advise  and  encourage 
him  but  they  were  always  willing  to  give  him 
needed  help.  They  were  not  only  willing  to  per- 
mit the  Negro's  development,  but  they  gave  sub- 
stantial aid  whenever  the  opportunity  was  of- 
fered. 

When  Mr.  Merrick  and  Dr.  Moore  decided  to 
reorganize  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  they  con- 
sulted their  white  friends  about  the  enterprise 
and  negotiated  a  loan  from  the  Fidelity  Bank  of 
Durham.  They  were  assured  of  backing  and 
given  all  encouragement  to  proceed.  After  the 
Mechanics  and  Farmers  Bank  had  been  organized 
some  of  the  officials  of  white  banking  institutions 
in  the  City  of  Durham  spent  hours  at  a  time  in 
giving  help  to  the  officers  of  the  new  concern. 
Among  the  first  stockholders  and  the  earliest  de- 
positors are  a  few  white  business  men  who  pur- 
chased shares  and  placed  savings  accounts  with 
the  institution.  The  story  of  the  Lincoln  Hos- 
pital has  already  been  told,  as  well  as  that  of  the 
colored  library.  The  library  is  at  present  mainly 
supported  thru  the  gifts  of  the  white  citizens 
of  Durham.     All  these  are  evidences  of  friendli- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         131 

ness  and  many  others  could  be  cited.  Neither 
were  Merrick  and  Moore  the  only  recipients  of 
this  good  will,  even  in  Durham.  The  develop- 
ment of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  did  not, 
therefore,  create  the  good  feeling  between  the 
races.  It  has  helpt  to  perpetuate  that  feeling  in 
Durham,  and  in  North  Carolina,  while  the  races 
have  become  estranged  and  embittered  in  other 
sections  of  the  South. 

The  Company  has  put  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  dollars  into  circulation  in  the  community  and 
this  has  meant  a  great  deal ;  but  the  personal  con- 
tact which  this  has  occasioned  has  been  worth  a 
great  deal  more.  The  leaders  of  the  two  races 
in  this  community  are  habitually  accustomed  to 
co-operate  for  the  mutual  welfare  of  their  com- 
munity. 

But  the  Company  has  gone  further  than  merely 
to  attempt  to  keep  the  relations  between  the  races 
friendly  in  North  Carolina;  it  has  always  in- 
structed its  employes  everywhere,  as  a  funda- 
mental part  of  its  policy,  that  the  co-operation  and 
mutual  friendliness  of  the  races  is  the  great  hope 
for  the  development  of  the  South.  The  Negro 
insurance  man  is  usually  an  intelligent  and  public- 
spirited  citizen  and  one  of  the  natural  leaders  of 


132  JOHN  MERRICK 

his  community.  This  gives  the  Company  an  ex- 
ceptional opportunity  which  it  aims  ahvays  to 
use  to  best  advantage.  While  the  country  was  in 
an  uproar  last  year  over  the  race  riots  and  great 
concern  was  felt  by  patriotic  citizens  everywhere 
as  to  the  outcome  of  things  the  general  manager 
of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  sent  this  steadying 
word  to  the  agents  of  the  Company  in  ten  states  of 
the  South:  "Your  attention  is  called  to  the  racial 
disturbances  which  are  occurring  in  different 
parts  of  the  country  and  the  likelihood  of  their 
becoming  more  sporadic  and  perplexing  because 
of  the  general  conditions  of  unrest  in  this  and  all 
other  countries  as  a  result  of  the  World  War. 

''You  are  in  a  position  as  an  active  man  in 
your  community  to  help  to  allay  the  nervousness 
on  the  part  of  our  people  and  to  invite  them  to 
counsel  sanely  with  each  other  and  with  liberal 
white  business  men  and  friends  of  the  race  in 
order  that  we  might  pass  safely  thru  this  per- 
plexing hour  in  the  history  of  the  world  when 
events  are  so  uncertain  and  disorder  so  prevalent. 

'This  is  not  a  time  when  any  Negro  should 
abandon  his  sanity  and  common  sense.  The 
delicate  issues  of  our  economic  and  civic  life,  to 
which  it  is  sought  to  apply  the  principles  of  de- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        133 

mocracy,  require  all  the  caution,  steadfastness 
and  Christian  uprightness  which  the  leaders  of 
both  races  can  summon  for  their  settlement. 

"This  is  the  time  for  Negroes  to  talk  to  our 
white  friends  and  not  about  them.  We  have  talkt 
much  of  co-operation;  the  time  has  come  for  us 
to  put  it  into  practice.  We  must  make  our  po- 
sition clear  to  the  friends  of  the  race  and,  with 
them,  guide  our  country  thru  this  perilous  time." 


CHAPTER  XIII 

JOHN    MERRICK,   THE   MAN 

THE  power  to  interpret  a  soul  is  the  power 
to  find  its  touchstone.  The  art  of  reveahng 
character  is  the  art  of  finding  the  sources 
of  its  making.  The  process  is  one  of  selecting 
•from  the  evidence  the  elements  that  constituted 
the  perfect  whole  and  of  reconstructing  the  com- 
posite figure.  To  understand  why  John  Mer- 
rick has  achieved  imperishable  fame  is  to  under- 
stand the  virtues  which  humanity  reveres  in  the 
personality  of  one  who  inherits  immortality. 

The  greatest  attribute  which  went  into  the 
making  of  this  distinguisht  personality  is  best 
exprest  in  the  words  of  an  aged  woman  who 
made  daily  inquiry  as  to  the  condition  of  Mr.  Mer- 
rick during  his  last  illness.  She  moaned  and 
sighed  with  each  unfavorable  report  and  would 
bend  her  head  low  and  say  fervently:  ''Oh,  my 
son,  I  loved  you  so!"  Once  when  she  was  in- 
quiring after  him  she  was  askt:  "Mother  Neal, 
why  do  you  love  Mr.  Merrick  so  much?"  Slowly 
she  pondered  and  finally  answered:  'T  dunno;  I 

[134] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        135 

reckin  'tis  because  he  loves  me  so  much."  Some- 
one has  said  that  the  only  way  for  one  to  have  a 
friend,  is  to  be  a  friend.  That  was  certainly  the 
way  in  which  John  Merrick  found  his  friends. 

In  his  younger  days  his  partner,  John  Wright, 
and  another  of  Durham's  foremost  colored  citi- 
zens, John  O'Daniel,  and  himself  were  called  the 
'Three  Johns"  because  of  their  friendship  and 
association.  The  'Three  Johns"  ran  train  excur- 
sions to  different  points  in  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  and  had  many  a  good  time  together. 

No  man  was  more  sincerely  loved  by  the  host 
of  people  both  colored  and  white  who  knew  him. 
He  was  always  smiling,  kind  and  polite,  willing 
to  stop  anywhere  and  under  any  circumstances  to 
chat  with  the  humblest  creature  of  earth  and  to 
give  him  some  good  word  or  some  pleasant  ca- 
jolery. This  is  the  secret  of  the  personality 
which  held  men  bound  to  him  by  hoops  of  steel. 

This  personality  well  befitted  Mr.  Merrick's 
general  appearance.  It  might  be  expected  that 
the  man  who  had  been  the  town's  leading  barber 
and  had  courted  the  patronage  and  friendship  of 
the  wealthiest  men  of  the  town,  was  a  man  of 
pleasing  appearance,  of  culture  and  personal 
charm.     In  the  days  of  yesterday  the  tonsorial 


136  JOHN  MERRICK 

art  was  largely  one  of  fashioning  the  mustachios 
and  the  peculiar  decorations  that  markt  the 
original  ''Southern  Gentleman."  Perhaps  on  this 
account,  as  well  as  for  his  personal  adornment, 
Mr.  Merrick  always  wore  a  full  and  evenly 
trimmed  mustache.  His  face  bore  an  expression 
of  keen  intelligence  and  alertness,  his  skin  was  as 
smooth  as  it  was  brown,  and  his  smooth  black 
hair  shone  with  a  sleekness.  He  was  of  good 
height,  moderately  stout,  erect  and  well  pro- 
portioned. He  carried  himself  with  an  easy, 
steady  swing,  without  excitement  or  hurry,  un- 
affectedly, and  with  the  air  of  a  well  groomed 
man. 

There  are  many  amusing  anecdotes  surround- 
ing the  character  and  personality  of  Mr.  Merrick 
that  have  grown  out  of  the  devoted  conception  of 
the  "ordinary  colored  folks."  A  Negro  who  is 
accustomed  to  receive  the  attention  of  the  ''big 
white  folks,"  who  has  easy  access  to  them  and 
much  influence  in  cementing  their  interest  in  the 
race,  is  naturally  considered  a  sort  of  a  wizard 
by  the  mass  of  his  people.  Many  of  the  older 
colored  people  who  witnest  the  phenomenal  rise 
of  Mr.  Merrick  tell  stories  of  fabulous  sums  he 
received  at  times  from  white  friends.    These  gifts 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        137 

are  said  to  have  been  made  at  Christmas  time,  or 
on  Mr.  Merrick's  birthdays,  or  whenever  good 
fortune  cast  a  fanciful  spell  upon  the  benevolent 
rich. 

The    incident   of    the   dollar   which   had   been 
given  by  William  Jennings  Bryan  seems  to  be  the 
basis  of  a  story  that  Mr.  Washington  Duke  at 
one  time  gave  Mr.  Merrick  a  dollar,  with  the  ad- 
monition that  he  should  keep  it  until  the  election 
of  another  Democratic  president;  at  which  time 
Mr.  Duke  would  celebrate  the  election  by  giving 
Merrick  a   thousand  or   two   dollars.      Unfortu- 
nately, Mr.  Duke  did  not  live  to  see  President 
Wilson  in  the  White  House  and  so  the  gift  never 
became  a  reality  whether  or  not  the  story  was 
true.    Another  of  these  fables  credits  a  generous 
patron  of  the  town  barber  with  a  present  of  a 
thousand  dollars  in  return  for  a  shave.     An  old 
Negro  wood-chopper  was  one  day  being  quizzed 
by  a  white  man  for  whom  he  was  working  about 
different  colored  leaders   in   Durham   and   Mr. 
Merrick's  name  was  mentioned.     ''J^mes,"  said 
the  white  man,   "how  much  do  you  think  John 
Merrick  is  worth?"     ''Mr.  Blank,"  answered  the 
wood-chopper,  with  a  show  of  finality,  'T'll  tell 


138  JOHN  MERRICK 

you  the  truth.    I  knoz<.^  for  a  fac/  he's  wuth  con- 
sidably  ovah  a  million !" 

There  was  never  a  man  of  influence  who  was 
more  unselfish  and  who  desired  so  little  for  him- 
self as  John  Merrick.  And  there  are  few  who 
used  their  influence  as  wisely  or  with  a  greater 
spirit  of  altruism.  The  favors  which  Mr.  Mer- 
rick was  granted  personally  were  of  a  purely 
business  nature,  no  matter  how  valuable  they* 
were  to  his  personal  success;  but  the  gifts  he  so- 
licited from  his  white  friends  were  for  the  uplift- 
ing of  his  people. 

One  Sunday  morning  he  went  to  the  Duke 
home  to  serve  the  family,  as  was  his  custom ;  and 
it  happened  that  his  church  was  on  that  day  hav- 
ing a  rally.  He  askt  Mr.  Duke  if  he  would  not 
help  out  the  collections  of  the  day.  He  was  told 
to  go  to  the  church  and  tell  the  congregation  to 
raise  all  they  could  and  then  to  come  and  get  his 
contribution.  The  church  was  indebted  $3,500 
and  the  congregation  raised  about  one  thousand. 
Mr.  Duke  gave  the  balance.  One  of  the  beauti- 
ful stained  glass  windows  of  the  St.  Joseph's 
African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  bears  the 
likeness  of  the  great  friend  of  humanity,  the  be- 
loved and  revered  Washington  Duke. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        139 

This  unselfishness  was  just  a  part  of  John  Mer- 
rick's make-up.  He  gave  freely  of  his  means  to 
the  needy  and  destitute  and  gladly  contributed  to 
any  worthy  cause  for  the  advancement  of  the 
race.  His  private  charities  were  extensive  and 
many  of  them  were  unknown.  Mr.  Merrick  was 
for  many  years  a  trustee  of  Kittrell  College,  in 
North  Carolina,  one  of  the  schools  of  his  church. 
Besides  his  annual  contributions  he  gave  at  one 
time  twenty-two  hundred  dollars  for  a  library 
building,  which  he  donated  in  the  name  of  his 
wife. 

Once  when  the  school  was  in  straightened  cir- 
cumstances and  seeking  loans  to  enable  it  to  com- 
plete the  year's  work,  he  was  askt  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  school  to  help  secure  funds.  A  con- 
ditional gift  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  was 
made  by  the  Dukes  and  other  white  friends,  thru 
Mr.  Merrick's  efforts;  and  this  amount  went  to 
the  college  when  a  stipulated  amount  had  been 
raised  by  the  colored  people  themselves. 

One  of  the  last  meetings  which  Mr.  Merrick 
attended — and  at  the  time  he  was  walking  with 
the  aid  of  a  cane — was  in  behalf  of  a  colored 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.     His  gift  of 


140  JOHN  MERRICK 

one  hundred  dollars  to  that  institution  was  his 
last  gift  to  a  local  organization. 

John  Merrick  was  a  simple,  straight-forw^ard, 
honest  character,  short  in  words  and  long  in 
deeds.  Nothing  shows  his  simplicity  more  than 
the  ease  with  which  he  bore  the  high  regard  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  truly 
walkt  with  kings  but  did  not  'lose  the  common 
touch."  As  president  of  the  North  Carolina  Mu- 
tual and  Provident  Association  he  called  the  ex- 
ecutive meetings  of  the  Association  in  the  rear  of 
his  barber  shop  and  at  these  meetings  he  presided 
in  his  barber's  coat.  When  the  Association  had 
grown  large  enough  to  employ  his  full  time  he  did 
not  content  himself  with  sitting  in  the  office  and 
revolving  in  a  swivel  chair ;  but  often  went  out  on 
the  road  and  brot  in  business  himself. 

Mr.  Merrick  always  had  a  note  in  the  bank  and 
was  always  there  to  discharge  it  when  it  became 
due.  He  was  thrifty  and  a  good  investor  and 
was  always  using  the  banks  for  the  promotion  of 
his  business.  The  banks  were  ever  ready  to  ex- 
tend him  credit  because  he  had  a  conscientious  re- 
gard for  his  honor  and  for  his  obligations.  He 
was   honest   to   the  core   and  never   shook   nor 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        141 

abused  the  confidence  which  was  so  generously 
extended  to  him. 

There  is  one  thing  in  which  Mr.  Merrick  is 
unique  as  a  recognized  Afro-American  leader: 
He  was  neither  a  speaker  nor  a  writer.  It  is  pos- 
sible that  his  lack  of  training  is  responsible  for 
this  failing,  if  such  it  be ;  yet  he  overcame  his  lack 
of  technical  training  by  an  inquiring  intelligence 
and  by  self-development.  A  man  of  his  endow- 
ments could  have  learned  to  speak,  even  if  he  had 
no  ''natural"  gift  of  oratory.  Perhaps  his  sim- 
plicity of  character  and  his  desire  to  do  rather 
than  to  say  was  at  the  bottom  of  his  refusal  to 
learn  the  art  of  speaking.  We  have  in  him  the 
paradox  of  a  man  who  was  not  sufficiently  trained 
to  spell  yet  one  who  developt  and  perfected  a 
erreat  financial  institution;  a  man  w^ho  had  no 
power  of  speech  yet  one  who  held  a  wonderful  in- 
fluence over  all  those  who  knew  him. 

As  much  as  the  simple  Christian  virtues  are  to 
be  extolled,  especially  when  they  exist  in  one  indi- 
vidual in  such  profusion,  the  hard  qualities  of 
mind  must  constitute  the  main  driving  force  in  a 
well  directed  life.  Simplicity,  unselfishness  and 
charity  are  valuable  qualities  to  possess ;  but  they 
may  be  merely  the  result  of  a  lazy  and  good-na- 


142  JOHN  MERRICK 

tured  inertia.  The  supreme  qualities  of  honor 
and  altruism  can  only  result  from  a  tough  under- 
lying moral  and  mental  fabric.  He  in  whom  un- 
selfishness and  Christian  charity  are  combined 
with  a  keen  intelligence,  an  enlightened  vision  and 
a  high  sense  of  personal  honor  is  indeed  wonder- 
fully endowed. 

Such  was  the  combination  of  the  higher  qual- 
ities in  John  Merrick  and  this  combination  was 
exemplified  in  his  administration  of  the  financial 
affairs  of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual.  His  first 
and  single  thot  was  to  act  for  the  best  interest  of 
the  Company.  Instead  of  seeking  advantage  for 
himself  and  for  his  personal  aggrandizement  he 
subordinated  self  and  placed  his  all  at  the  disposal 
of  the  institution.  The  Company's  need  was  his 
distress  and  as  long  as  energy  and  foresight  could 
provide  the  remedy  it  was  forthcoming. 

His  clear  mind  and  keen  insight  are  well  il- 
lustrated by  the  skill  he  acquired  as  an  investor. 
He  was  careful  and  observant  and  his  mind  could 
see  thru  a  situation  at  once,  grasp  its  essentials 
and  steer  a  straight  course.  Mr.  Merrick  was 
often  consulted  by  people,  colored  and  white,  con- 
cerning real  estate  and  investments.  An  eminent 
authority  on  business  methods  and  ethics  gives 


mi . 


i 

ii 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         143 

the  following  description  of  an  ideal  investor : 
''The  ideal  investor  should  be  a  man  with  vision. 
Men  endowed  with  a  sacred  trust  of  investing 
funds  for  others  must  have  a  vision  broad  enough 
to  encompass  and  measure  defeat  as  well  as  suc- 
cess. He  must  be  without  friends.  High  author- 
ity discloses  that  eighty  per  cent  of  the  bank  fail- 
ures of  this  country  are  due  to  the  pressure  from 
friends.  The  investor  should  be  wholly  lacking 
in  speculative  instinct."  This  was  one  of  Mr. 
Merrick's  favorite  guide-posts  which  he  copied 
and  kept  on  his  desk  before  him.  He  was  not  a 
speculator;  he  was  a  sound  business  man. 

The  clear  and  faultless  vision  of  this  man 
spurred  him  ever  onward  toward  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  things  he  willed.  He  believed  in 
himself  and  in  what  he  was  doing.  He  fixt  his 
determination  upon  the  object  and  never  moved 
his  purpose  until  the  thing  was  attained.  He  was 
sitting  with  his  two  associates  in  one  of  the  regu- 
lar daily  meetings  in  the  early  years  of  the  Com- 
pany's existence.  The  business  was  showing 
signs  of  rapid  growth  and  they  were  much  en- 
couraged. He  projected  his  great  mind  into  the 
future  and  said,  much  to  the  amusement  of  his 
associates :     'T  expect  to  see  this  Company  grow 


144  JOHN  MERRICK 

until  we  are  doing  a  hundred  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  business  a  year."  This  seemed  to  the 
medical  director  and  general  manager  almost 
like  the  day-dream  of  a  visionary ;  it  was  a  dra- 
matic prophecy  which  was  soon  to  have  more 
than  a  fulfillment.  The  president  was  thinking 
in  thousands! 

John  Merrick  was  a  Christian  and  was  devoted 
to  his  church.  He  was  not  a  demonstrative  re- 
ligious enthusiast;  he  was  a  simple  server  of  the 
faith.  The  controlling  element  in  his  life  was 
love  and  therefore  it  never  occurred  to  him  that 
lip-profession  could  take  the  place  of  heart-ser- 
vice. He  loved  his  race  and  the  human  race  be- 
cause he  loved  his  God.  His  faith  was  fixt  and 
his  heart  was  attuned  to  the  divine  command  of 
love  and  service. 

It  is  recorded  in  the  Gospel  according  to  Saint 
John  that  Jesus  Christ  reprimanded  the  egotism 
and  vanity  of  the  braggart,  Peter,  who  had  made 
elaborate  professions  of  faith  but  when  tested 
had  repudiated  his  Savior  and  denied  his  Lord. 
In  this  stinging  rebuke  Christ  announced  the 
measure  of  service  for  those  who  love  the  Lord. 
The  command:  "Feed  my  sheep!"  given  by  the 
Savior  himself,  became  the  standard  and  meas- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        145 

ure  of  Christian  service  for  all  time.  The  execu- 
tion of  this  command  is  the  only  attestation  of 
the  deep-lying  affections  of  the  spirit.  This  was 
the  Gospel  of  John  Merrick. 

The  devotion  of  Mr.  Merrick  to  his  home  and 
family  was  the  devotion  of  a  true  father.  As  he 
was  a  friend  to  his  neighbor,  so  he  was  a  loving 
companion  to  his  wife  and  a  real  ''pal"  to  his 
children.  His  first  thot  was  for  their  comfort 
and  security.  He  loved  his  own  family  wath  a 
passion  which  was  reflected  in  his  great  planning 
for  the  security  of  the  home  circle  of  other  men. 
As  he  succeeded  in  life  he  gave  them  every  com- 
fort and  joy  that  love  and  money  could  afford. 

The  little  home  wdiich  he  purchased  soon  after 
coming  to  Durham  w^as  forsaken  for  another 
which  w^ould  afford  them  greater  comfort.  In 
1902  this  one  was  pusht  back  in  the  rear  and  a 
beautiful  and  costly  structure  was  erected  as  his 
final  abiding  place.  This  beautiful  residence  re- 
flects his  love  of  the  home  tie,  his  sense  of  beauty 
and  his  rare  culture.  Until  the  last  days  of  an- 
guish drove  him  to  his  bed,  he  might  be  seen  any 
evening,  thru  the  beautiful  glass  door,  stretcht 
comfortably  in  one  of  his  great  armchairs,  sur- 
rounded   by   the    members    of    his    family.     He 


146  JOHN  MERRICK 

taught  his  boys  to  work  and  found  places  for 
them  in  the  Company.  When  he  traveled  he  in- 
variably took'  some  of  his  children  with  him  and 
was  their  happy  companion. 

Mr.  Merrick  was  fond  of  life.  He  believed  in 
getting  happiness  and  pleasure  out  of  each  day. 
When  his  working  hours  were  over  he  liked  to 
seek  clean  amusement  and  to  revel  in  the  joy  of 
living.  He  believed  in  wealth  only  for  its  ser- 
vice and  was  as  unstinted  in  his  enjoyment  of 
the  material  things  as  he  was  in  his  charities.  He 
w^as  the  first  colored  citizen  of  Durham  to  own 
an  automobile;  and  in  his  garage  he  kept  a  pool 
table  for  his  amusement.  He  loved  to  travel  and 
no  summer  would  pass  without  his  going  to  some 
resort  in  search  of  recreation.  He  loved  the 
water  and  would  take  his  daily  dip  in  the  surf 
with  the  pleasure  of  a  youngster.  In  1909  he 
went  to  Cuba,  in  company  with  Dr.  A.  M.  Moore, 
C.  C.  Spaulding,  and  Dr.  J.  E.  Shepard,  of  Dur- 
ham, and  Dr.  J.  E.  Ford,  of  Jacksonville,  Florida. 
After  the  amputation  of  his  foot  Mr.  Alerrick 
seemed  much  better  and  hobbled  about  the 
neighborhood,  hailing  his  old  friends  with  his 
accustomed  good  cheer.  Only  a  short  time  before 
his  death  he  climbed  into  his  touring  car,  with  the 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        147 

help  of  his  crutches,  placed  the  tender  stub  upon 
a  pillow  and  rode  out  to  witness  a  baseball  game. 
This  was  the  last  time  he  ever  lookt  on  and  en- 
joyed the  merriment  of  the  young  people  whom  he 
loved  to  see  play. 

All  thru  his  last  illness  Mr.  Merrick  was  cheer- 
ful and  as  brave  as  excruciating  pain  would 
permit.  He  had  been  to  Hot  Springs  and  to 
Baltimore  for  radium  treatments  in  the  hope  of 
eradicating  the  gnawing  ulcer  that  gave  him  no 
rest.  The  one  pleasure  of  his  last  days  was  the 
presence  of  one  of  his  grand-children  in  the  sick- 
room, the  kind  attentions  of  his  family  and  the 
visits  of  his  friends. 

The  last  days  of  suffering  were  days  of  su- 
preme agony.  The  amputation  of  his  foot  did 
not  prove  sufficient,  for  the  malignant  growth 
had  affected  his  whole  system.  He  had  fought 
bravely,  but  it  was  a  losing  fight.  Friends  were 
barred  from  the  sick-room  and  John  Merrick 
went  forth  to  meet  the  cold  touch  of  Death,  calm 
and  serene  and  with  neither  fear  nor  trembling. 

The  day  was  the  sixth  of  August,  in  the  Year 
of  our  Lord,  One  Thousand  Nine  Hundred  and 
Nineteen ! 


CHAPTER  XIV 

JOHN  MERRICK,  THE  RACE  BUILDER 

MR.  MERRICK  was  an  intimate  friend  of 
the  late  Dr.  Booker  T.  Washington.  And 
altho  he  possest  a  distinctly  different 
viewpoint,  particularly  with  regard  to  politics,  he 
was  no  doubt  somewhat  affected  by  the  policies  of 
that  great  leader.  Because  of  a  similarity  in  the 
policies  of  the  two  men,  a  mutual  friendship 
sprang  up  between  them  and  continued  thru 
out  their  lives.  Mr.  Merrick  visited  Tuskegee 
where  he  was  most  cordially  entertained.  Dr. 
Emmett  J.  Scott,  for  many  years  the  private  sec- 
retary to  Dr.  Washington  and  of  Tuskegee  Insti- 
tute, gives  the  following  recollection  of  the  asso- 
ciation between  the  two  men : 

Mr,  John  Merrick  made  one  visit  to  Tuskegee  Insti- 
tute as  I  now  recall  it.  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of 
Dr.  Booker  T.  Washington,  and  workt  in  fullest  sym- 
pathy with  him  in  all  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  Negro 
people.  He  was  a  regular  attendant  upon  the  sessions 
of  the  National  Negro  Business  League  and  with  Mr. 
W.  T.  Andrews,  Rev.  Richard  Carroll,  Mr.  C.  C.  Spauld- 

[148] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        149 

ing  and  others  arranged  the  details  of  Dr.  Washington's 
tour  of  North  CaroHna  several  years  ago.  None  of  those 
who  were  privileged  to  he  a  member  of  that  party  will 
forget  Mr.  Merrick's  untiring  energy  and  attention  to 
details.  He  was  here,  there  and  everywhere  to  make 
the  meetings  in  various  cities  of  North  Carolina  count 
for  the  most.  When  Dr.  Washington  decided  to  make 
one  of  his  tours  thru  the  State  of  Florida  he  invited 
Mr.  Merrick,  with  other  friends,  to  accompany  him  on 
this  tour.  It  was  with  very  great  satisfaction  and  interest 
that  he  told  of  the  unlimited  success  Mr.  Merrick  and 
his  associates  had  achieved  in  building  up  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company." 

While  there  was  a  similarity  in  the  views  of 
these  two  men,  they  should  not  be  mistaken  as 
having  identical  policies.  They  are  clearly  dis- 
tinguishable in  many  ways.  Washington  was  an 
educator  while  Merrick  was  a  financier.  Wash- 
ington aimed  to  control,  or  at  least  direct,  the  cur- 
rent of  Negro  life  and  to  keep  it  under  his  guid- 
ance. He  did  this  by  traveling  and  lecturing  all 
over  the  world,  by  writing  books,  by  controlling 
Negro  newspapers,  by  having  publicity  agents 
and  secretaries  to  exploit  his  propaganda,  by  ad- 
vising with  Presidents  and  politicians  on  appoint- 
ments for  the  race,  by  directing  the  patronage  of 
powerful  white  friends  toward  persons  in  agree- 
ment with  his  policies  and  by  other  means  which 


150  JOHN  MERRICK 

are  well  known  and  which  show  the  genius  of  the 
man.  Merrick  had  a  single  aim :  To  build  a  great 
institution  which  would  teach  by  its  example  what 
the  Negro  could  achieve  in  the  world  of  finance. 
His  traveling  was  in  the  interest  of  his  particular 
business;  he  wrote  no  books,  he  had  no  publicity 
agents;  in  short,  he  never  assumed  to  be  a  great 
race  leader.  If  there  ever  was  an  humble  spirit  in 
a  man  possest  of  superior  endowment,  it  was 
in  the  case  of  John  Merrick. 

As  previously  stated,  John  Merrick  was  not  a 
speaker.  In  this  particular  he  differed  from 
Douglass  and  Washington,  the  two  great  leaders 
of  the  race  who  have  past  into  the  beyond.  And 
this  is  perhaps  most  fitting  to  his  character. 
Douglass  needed  the  tongue  of  eloquence  to 
awake  in  Americans  a  belief  in  the  Negro  as  a 
human  being  possest  of  a  soul.  His  mission  was 
to  help  free  the  bonded  from  the  chains  of  chattel 
slavery. 

Likewise  Washington  possest  the  great  gift  of 
pleasing  utterance,  especially  of  story-telling.  On 
the  wings  of  mirth,  he  sent  sharp-edged  truths 
which  stung  the  conscience  when  the  laughter  had 
stilled.     He  was  sfroomed  for  a  time  of  bitter- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        151 

ness  when  hearers  gave  unwilHng  ears ;  when  men 
must  be  beguiled,  then  pleased  and  finally  won. 
Douglass  thundered,  but  Washington  appealed. 

John  Merrick  came  to  do  neither.  His  mission 
was  to  teach  his  race  the  importance  of  self-help 
and  to  reveal  their  opportunity  in  the  world  of 
finance  and  in  the  building  of  co-operative  com- 
mercial enterprises.  Steady  employment,  econ- 
omy, business  initiative,  careful  investment  and 
the  subordination  of  politics  were  his  themes ;  and 
as  a  true  leader  he  practiced  these  virtues  rather 
than  preacht  them. 

Mr.  Merrick  has  left  us  only  one  speech  to 
which  we  might  turn  for  his  views  and  advice  to 
the  race.  This  is  fully  quoted  later  in  this  chap- 
ter. The  only  other  speech  of  which  there  is  a 
record  is  one  of  less  than  three  hundred  words 
and  full  of  sobs  which  w^as  delivered  at  the 
Agents'  Meeting  in  1919  shortly  before  Mr.  Mer- 
rick's death. 

In  studying  this  speech,  the  reader  should 
judge  it  according  to  the  time  and  circumstances 
of  its  deliverance.  This  is  no  apology  for  the 
address  itself  is  the  epitome  of  wisdom  and  is 
equally  applicable  to  the  life  of  the  race  today. 
But   the   full   significance   of    its   doctrines   and 


152  JOHN  MERRICK 

claims  cannot  be  appreciated  if  it  is  taken  out  of 
its  setting. 

The  Negro  had  been  emancipated,  poor  and 
ignorant,  with  only  his  bare  arms  and  strong 
limbs  to  depend  upon.  The  ballot  had  been  given 
to  him,  on  empty  stomach,  as  a  panacea  for  all 
his  ills  and  needs.  Thousands  of  the  new  voters 
followed  the  directions  explicitly,  putting  more 
faith  in  the  form  of  citizenship  than  in  the  sub- 
stance itself.  The  political  leaders  were  more 
concerned  with  carrying  elections  and  dispensing- 
patronage  than  with  the  essential  well-being  of 
the  race,  its  economic  progress  and  spiritual 
growth,  its  education  and  training. 

Meanwhile,  the  rank  and  file  of  the  white  race 
had  establisht  marts  of  trade,  were  possessing  the 
land  and  doing  the  business  of  the  South.  They 
voted  and  they  went  to  church  also.  But  between 
voting  time  and  church  time  they  were  occupied 
with  the  manifold  duties  of  daily  life. 

The  reaction  had  set  in  and  had  set  in  strongly. 
The  southern  state  and  local  governments  had 
past  completely  into  the  hands  of  the  whites, 
often  with  a  terrible  toll  of  human  life  and  a  total 
annihilation  of  friendliness  and  sympathy  be- 
tween the  races.     Last  of  all  had  ceme  Wilming- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         153 

ton  with  its  unspeakable  days  and  nights  of  terror. 
Black  men's  hearts  stood  still.  They  pondered 
and  shuddered  and  hugged  closer  to  the  few  white 
friends  they  trusted.  The  loss  of  the  ballot  re- 
vealed the  nakedness  and  misery  of  a  people  who 
had  little  else  to  protect  them.  They  stood  again 
where  they  had  begun,  with  bare  arms  and  strong 
limbs,  and  facing  an  unpromising  future. 

There  were  many  pseudo-statesmen  who  ad- 
vocated the  return  of  the  Negroes  to  Africa  as  a 
means  of  ending  the  perplexing  problems  oc- 
casioned by  their  presence.  This  suggestion 
gained  favor  and  raised  great  hopes  until  it  be- 
came clear  that  the  United  States  would  thereby 
lose  millions  of  laborers  whose  labor  was  sorely 
needed.  The  period  was  one  of  great  hysteria 
with  no  clear  voice  assuring  a  settlement  that 
would  be  satisfactory.  Either  the  Negro  must  re- 
main and  be  a  burden  or  he  must  go  and  the  Na- 
tion receive  a  death-blow  to  its  industries.  Poli- 
tical absorption  was  then  as  unthinkable  as  so- 
cial intermingling. 

The  Negro  had  not  yet  developt  a  race  con- 
sciousness or  a  quickened  confidence  in  himself. 
He  was  so  thoroly  dominated  and  overshadowed 
that  nothing  on  earth  gave  him  a  feeling  of  se- 


154  JOHN  MERRICK 

curity  or  comfort;  only  distant  heaven  held  out 
for  him  a  place  of  eternal  peace.  The  power  of  a 
self-conscious  labor  class  was  undreamed  of,  even 
by  white  men.  The  job  belonged  to  the  man  who 
gave  it,  and  it  was  thot  ungrateful,  even  foolish, 
to  imagine  that  the  laborer  should  have  a  voice  in 
the  direction  of  industry.  -Least  of  all  was  the 
servant  to  feel  that  he  was  a  benefactor  to  his 
employer. 

It  was  in  such  a  time  and  with  these  things 
weighing  heavily  on  his  heart  that  John  Merrick 
wrote  his  only  speech.  He  offered  no  mean  com- 
promise, no  retraction  of  manhood ;  but  he  offered 
manifestations  of  friendship,  independence  of 
thot  and  action  and,  most  of  all,  a  revaluation  of 
methods  and  practices  which  would  take  into  ac- 
count the  eternal  fitness  of  things  and  the  facts 
and  issues  that  the  race  must  meet  squarely  before 
it  could  resume  its  march  of  progress.  And  here 
is  what  he  said: 

"There  has  been  lots  and  lots  said  about  the  Negro 
and  his  condition  in  North  Carolina.  So  much  so  that 
I  think  that  the  least  of  us  have  a  perfect  right  to  give 
vent  to  our  feelings  if  we  wish ;  and  on  these  grounds,  I 
take  the  privilege  to  say  a  few  words  about  me  and  my 
people  the  way  I  see  it. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         155 

"We  are  here  and  we  are  going  to  stay.  And  why 
not  stay?  We  have  the  same  privileges  that  other  people 
have.  Every  avenue  is  open  to  us  to  do  business  there 
is  to  any  people.  We  are  allowed  to  own  homes  and 
farms,  run  farms,  do  banking  business,  insurance,  real 
estate  business  and  all  other  minor  businesses  that  is 
done  in  this  Commonwealth.  Therefore,  I  claim  that 
the  Negro's  condition  in  North  Carolina  is  as  good  or 
better  than  it's  been  since  our  Emancipation,  if  he  go 
ahead  and  use  them  in  the  right  direction. 

"Now  we  don't  do  very  much  of  these  large  branches 
of  business,  as  banking,  insurance  or  real  estate  busi- 
ness. 

"The  North  has  had  meetings  to  converse  over  our 
conditions  and  to  extend  sympathy  to  us.  We  thank 
you  for  everything  you  have  ever  done.  We  are  a 
people  that  need  sympathy.  But  that  reminds  me  of 
putting  a  beef -steak  on  the  outside  of  a  man's  stomach 
to  stop  hunger. 

"Now  you  tell  us  how  to  allay  these  different  crises 
that  come  to  us  only  at  election  time,  and  (how)  we 
will  be  benefitted ;  but  you  can't  tell  us  that  as  well  as 
we  know  it  ourselves,  as  we  have  been  here  all  the 
time. 

"Now  so  many  of  my  people  think  slavery  is  not 
something  of  the  past,  but  may  return  at  any  time.  I 
want  to  say  for  some  one's  benefit  that  the  'white  folks,' 
as  we  call  them,  have  not  got  time  any  more  to  own 
Negroes  when  they  can  pay  us  less  than  it  takes  to 
own  us. 

"And   I   want  to   say    right   here,    you  talking  about 


156  JOHN  MERRICK 

our  progress  since  the  Emancipation ;  it  looks  like  the 
whites  were  freed  also!  Just  look  at  this  Southland 
since  our  freedom.  It  has  grown  full  of  the  stable 
industries  of  the  country;  vast  cotton  mills,  mining 
interests,  cities  built,  railroading  and  various  other  indus- 
tries that  have  made  the  South  measure  arms  with  the 
other  sections  of  the  country  and  be  as  much  in  demand 
as  any  part  of  the  civilized  world.  I  said  the  whites 
were  freed  also.  Take  it  on  these  grounds :  At  our 
Emancipation  their  minds  was  turned  from  owning  a 
few  Negroes  and  turned  to  business.  And  today,  the 
largest  portion  of  the  wealth  of  this  State  is  owned  by 
men,  at  the  close  of  the  war  were  comparatively  poor 
men.  Durham,  the  town  I  live  in,  is  the  fairest  specimen 
of  any  in  the  State.  We  have  wealthy  men  here,  one 
after  another,  and.  several  millionaires,  all  have  made 
their  money  since  the  Surrender. 

"They  turned  their  attention  to  making  money  and 
we  turned  ours  to  holding  office  and  paying  debts  of 
gratitude. 

"Now  speaking  of  gratitude,  remember  we  owe  some 
gratitude  to  the  people  that  have  been  giving  us  employ- 
ment since  our  Emancipation,  paying  the  taxes  to  build 
school-houses  to  educate  our  children.  These  things 
could  have  been  dififerent  but  they  are  not ;  and  old 
North  Carolina  is  one  of  the  banner  states  in  the  Union. 

"We  don't  concur  with  Bishop  Turner  when  he  says 
the  thing  for  Congress  to  do  is  to  appropriate  one 
hundred  million  dollars  to  colonize  us  to  our  mother 
country.     And   what    would   be   the   result?     That  land 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        157 

is  controlled  by  the  whites  and  it's  natural  to  suppose 
that  the  owner  of  everything  ought  to  control  it.  And 
our  condition  would  eventually  be  the  same  there  as  here, 
if  we  got  over    there  and  all    of  us  want    to  be  king. 

**Then  I  don't  like  for  a  fellow  to  tell  me  there  is 
some  ripe  watermelon  over  ther-e  across  the  creek,  and 
he  likes  watermelon  as  good  as  I  do,  and  wants  some 
as  bad  as  I  do  and  ain't  there  eating.  Go  over  there 
and  call  me  and  it  will  impress  me  more. 

"Now  Bishop,  stay  here  with  us.  Hand  it  down  to 
the  Presiding  Elder,  and  let  him  hand  it  down  to  his 
members  and  all  the  different  denominations  do  the 
same;  that  will  certainly  reach  the  constituents  of  Con- 
gressman White;  let  him  tell  to  his  people  and  the 
ministers  to  their  congregations  the  importance  of 
economy  and  of  accumulation.  That  is  what  makes 
people  representative,  is  having  something  to  represent. 

"Now  take  the  Negro  all  over  this  land.  The  most 
of  our  capital  is  invested  in  muscle.  Now  the  thing  for 
us  to  do  is  to  do  like  other  men.  They  do  what  is  best 
to  protect  his  land,  railroad,  mill,  factory  and  real  estate 
interests.  Now,  we  have  no  such  interests ;  so  let  us 
do  what  will  protect  what  we  have.  Our  labor  is  what 
we  have  got  to  look  after  more  carefully  in  the  future 
than   we  have  in  the  past  if   we   would  hold  our   own. 

"We  have  been  misled  by  our  leaders  everywhere 
since  the  Emancipation.  They  have  pompered  us  up, 
swelled  our  head^  and  told  us  all  sorts  of  good  things 
about  our  progress  since  Emancipation,  And  the  trouble 
is  we  have  not  been  shown  our  real  condition. 

"Part  of  our  real  condition  is,  we  are  here;  and  there 


158  JOHN  MERRICK 

will  be  Negroes  here  as  long  as  there  is  a  North  Caro- 
lina or  a  United  States;  so  let  us  adapt  ourselves  to 
circumstances.  As  I  see  it,  it's  time  for  us  to  protect 
ourselves  if  we  would  hold  employment  to  sustain  our 
families.  I  am  speaking  more  direct  to  the  servants 
and  the  laboring  class  like  myself.  Here  it  is  in  a  nut- 
shell. We  have  got  to  labor,  or  rather  the  masses  of 
us,  for  our  support ;  and  we  have  got  to  labor  for  those 
who  have  it  for  us  to  do.  And  that,  I  need  not  hesitate 
to  say,  is  the  white  people  of  North  Carolina,  both 
Republicans  and  Democrats. 

'The  Negroes  have  had  lots  of  offices  in  this  State 
and  they  have  benefitted  themselves  but  very  little  com- 
paratively; nothing  comparing  with  what  they  could  have 
done  along  business  and  industrial  lines  had  they  given 
it  the  same  time  and  talent.  And  I  claim  they  have  done 
tlie  masses  harm  in  this  way. 

"Now  to  show  you  why  we  have  not  been  benefitted 
by  politics  and  why  we  ought  to  let  them  alone.  In 
the  first  place,  our  good  men  and  lots  of  our  best  men 
have  turned  their  attention  to  party  and  office.  A  man 
goes  into  politics  a  good  man  and  he  goes  to  pulling  the 
wires  and  soon  he  is  classed  a  politician.  This  naturally 
makes  him  lose  interest  along  business  and  industrial 
lines;  then  he  has  to  stick  to  it  for  protection,  as  that 
settles  him  as  a  business  man.  This  happens  with  very 
few  exceptions. 

"Now  the  Wilmington  trouble  was  a  disgrace  and  a 
sin,  the  slaying  of  those  ignorant  and  non-responsible 
Negroes  that  did  not  even  surmise  the  extent  of  the 
growing  trouble  and   never   in  their  lives  reapt  any  of 


AT   THE  AGE   OF    50 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         159 

the  benefits  of  office,  neither  did  they  want  to.  All  they 
wanted  was  to  get  to  work  in  the  morning  and  get 
home  at  night  and  make  enough  to  keep  body  and  soul 
together.  Right  here  is  part  proof  that  the  masses  are 
not  benefited  in  politics. 

'*Now  I  claim  that  the  Wilmington  race  war  did  not 
just  happen.  I  claim  it  is  a  thing  that  has  been  working 
for  thirty  or  more  years.  Now  you  take  a  city  of 
seventeen  or  eighteen  thousand  Negroes  and  seven  or 
eight  thousand  whites  and  let  the  whites  own  and  control 
ninety  per  cent  of  the  property  and  pay  tax  on  ninety 
per  cent,  and  the  Negroes  ten  per  cent,  and  the 
Negroes  control  the  government  affairs  of  that  city  and 
county.  There  is  a  city,  if  there  has  not  been  trouble, 
there  is  a  cause  for  it  to  be  workt  up. 

"I  do  claim  it  is  not  right  for  us  to  represent  so 
little  and  want  to  claim  so  much.  Had  the  Negroes  of 
Wilmington  owned  half  of  the  city  and  county,  there 
wouldn't  an}1:hing  happened  to  compare  with  what  did. 

"Now  I  believe  in  paying  debts  and  we  owe  the 
Republican  Party  lots  of  gratitude.  Now  we  have  been 
paying  it  as  a  people,  almost  as  a  man,  ever  since  the 
Emancipation.  Now,  don't  you  think  we  are  about  even, 
and  the  time  has  come  when  we  can  take  that  valuable 
ballot  and  vote  it  as  we  please,  and  not  be  considered  by 
our  own  people  as  murderers? 

"The  way  the  Democratic  Party  took  us  this  fall  by 
the  heels  and  beat  the  life  out  of  the  Republican  Party 
with  us,  if  you  have  not  finisht  paying  that  debt  of 
gratitude,  I  believe  I  would  bet  a  mule  that  the  Repub- 


160  JOHN  MERRICK 

lican  Party  is  about  decided  they  will  give  us  a  clear 
receipt  and  tell  us  to  stand  aside.  Now  the  trouble  with 
us  is  that  we  are  about  to  burden  the  Party  wanting  so 
much  office.  We  seem  to  think  all  of  us  ought  to  eat 
pie  all  the  time. 

'M  know  we  ought  to  have  our  share  of  representation, 
and  then  I  know  we  ought  to  have  our  share  of  respon- 
sibility, so  as  to  make  us  manifest  the  proper  interest. 
Certainly  I  think  the  Negroes  of  America  ought  to  be 
represented  in  Congress  and  if  North  Carolina  has  the 
credit  of  sending  that  Congressman,  the  Negroes  of  the 
State  have  something  to  be  proud  of. 

"What  difference  does  it  make  to  us  who  is  elected? 
We  got  to  serve  in  the  same  different  capacities  of  life 
for  a  living.  That  reminds  me  of  something  I  heard 
14  years  ago  on  Mangum  Street,  Cleveland's  first  term. 
John  Bets,  a  Republican  revenue  officer,  was  passing 
and  a  country-man  was  sitting  way  up  on  a  load  of 
wood.  In  order  to  tease  Bets,  he  yelled  as  Bets  passed, 
'Hurrah  for  Cleveland!'  Bets  stopt  and  said:  'Never 
mind,  damn  you,  you  got  to  still  haul  that  wood !'  That 
is  what  we  ought  to  think  when  we  are  so  grieved  when 
the  election  don't  go  as  we  want  it.  We  got  to  haul 
wood,  don't  care  who  is  elected. 

"Now  let  us  make  our  beds  as  soft  as  possible;  the 
softer  we  make  them  the  better  they  lie.  Now,  if  I 
am  not  on  the  right  line,  some  one  say  something  or 
do  or  advise  or  intimate  something  we  can  do  to  allay 
the  trouble  that  arises  between  the  two  races  and  makes 
us  distant  and  we  are  the  sufferers.     We  need  to  be  as 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        161 

close  friends  as  possible  so  as  to  demand  more  for  our 
different  services. 

''Now  let  us  think  more  of  our  employment  and  what 
it  takes  to  keep  peace  and  to  build  us  a  little  house  and 
stop  thinking  we  are  the  whole  Republican  Party  and 
without  us  the  whole  thing  would  stop. 

"Now  I  don't  know  how  to  conclude,  only  I  can  say 
strange  things  come  from  strange  places.  Certainly  it 
will  be  strange  to  read  an  article  of  any  kind  from  the 
undersigned,  but  it's  the  way  I  see  it. 

''Now  don't  the  writers  of  the  race  jump  on  the 
writer  and  try  to  solve  my  problem.  Mine  is  solved. 
I  solved  mine  by  learning  to  be  courteous  to  those  that 
courtesy  was  due,  working  and  trying  to  save  and 
properly  appropriate  what  I  made. 

"I  do  think  we  have  done  well  and  I  do  think  we 
could  have  done  better.  Now  let  us  make  better  use  of 
the  years  we  have  left  than  we  have  the  years  that  have 
past,  as  we  have  the  past  to  look  back  over  and  see 
the  many  mistakes.  Allow  me  to  take  this  method  of 
relief. 

"I  am  yours  for  the  betterment  of  the  race, 

"John  Merrick.'' 

It  is  apparent  from  the  context  and  manner  of 
this  speech  that  Mr.  Merrick  wrote  it  for  publi- 
cation. The  reference  to  ''Cleveland's  first  term" 
as  "14  years  ago"  as  well  as  the  discussion  of  the 
Wilmington  riot  fixes  the  time  of  its  composition 
as   1898,  the  same  year  of  the  riot  and  of  the 


162  JOHN  MERRICK 

first  organization  of  the  North  Carohna  Mutual ; 
but  as  far  as  can  be  learned  the  speech  was  never 
publisht.  Mr.  Merrick's  associates  have  no  knowl- 
edge of  the  address  or  of  when  it  was  written. 

This  speech  is  far  more  eloquent  than  any 
words  that  might  be  spoken  of  it  and  is  so  brim- 
ming with  fundamental  common  sense  that  it 
might  safely  be  clast  as  one  of  the  great  utter- 
ances of  American  Negro  leaders.  It  is  given  as 
written,  except  that  all  spelling  has  been  cor- 
rected; punctuation  and  paragraphing  supplied 
and  a  slight  rearrangement  for  the  purpose  of 
coherence. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  examine  this  document 
a  little  in  detail.  Note,  first  of  all,  the  character- 
istic simplicity  of  its  author.  He  is  venturing  to 
speak  as  one  of  "the  least,"  and  then  only  to  speak 
his  personal  opinion. 

He  speaks  from  no  motive  of  personal  gain  nor 
that  he  may  be  acclaimed  great.  He  has  already 
establisht  himself  and  has  solved  his  personal 
problem  of  adjustment  ''by  learning  to  be  cour- 
teous to  those  that  courtesy  was  due,  working  and 
trying  to  save  and  properly  appropriate"  what  he 
earned. 

Note  also  that  he  is  speaking  of  the  rank  and 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        163 

file  of  the  race,  where  he  places  himself.  He^ 
says,  'T  am  speaking  more  direct  to  the  servants 
and  laboring  class  like  myself/'  This  differ- 
entiation between  the  toiling  masses  to  whom  the 
matter  of  ''bread  and  butter"  is  a  vital  every  day, 
ever-present  problem  and  the  more  emancipated 
fringe  of  the  race,  who  are  in  the  so-called  higher 
vocations,  seems  to  be  clear  to  the  author's  mind. 
For  he  says  in  terms  of  primary  economics: 
''Here  it  is  in  a  nut-shell.  We  have  got  to  labor 
for  those  who  have  it  for  us  to  do.  And  that,  I 
need  not  hesitate  to  say,  is  the  white  people  of 
North  Carolina.     ..."  ; 

He  emphasizes  to  the  mass  of  workers  that 
their  employers  are  both  Republicans  and  Demo- 
crats; and  that  a  policy  of  strict  devotion  to  the 
Republican  party  will  array  them  against  the 
men  from  whom  they  earn  their  daily  bread.  He 
offers  proof  that  the  pursuit  of  politics  will  not 
change  the  economic  status  of  that  mass  but  that 
the  same  amount  of  energy  and  purpose  will  go 
a  great  way  toward  alleviating  their  economic 
condition.  But  his  criticism  of  the  participation 
of  the  race  in  politics  seems  to  be  chiefly  against 
the  immoderate  and  extravagant  desire  for  "pie- 
eating"  and  against  the  subordination  of  economic 


164  JOHN  MERRICK 

interests  to  political  rights  rather  than  a  disavowal 
of  their  duty  as  good  citizens  to  exercise  the  fran- 
chise. For  the  passage  which  says:  '1  know 
we  ought  to  have  our  share  of  representation, 
and  then  I  know  to  we  ought  to  have  our  share 
of  responsibility,  so  as  to  make  us  manifest  the 
proper  interest,"  and  which  asserts  squarely 
that  "the  Negro  of  America  ought  to  be  repre- 
sented in  Congress"  leaves  no  room  for  doubt 
that  John  Merrick  believed  in  the  privileges  as 
well  as  the  duties  of  citizenship  and  that  his  race 
should  share  in  the  conduct  of  the  government. 
He  places  such  participation  on  its  proper  basis, 
and  he  asks  for  representation  in  order  that  the 
Negro  might  develop  responsibility!  He  asks 
that  facts  be  faced :  ''We  are  here,  and  there  will 
be  Negroes  here  as  long  as  there  is  a  North  Caro- 
lina. .  .  ."  Either  the  Negro  will  ''manifest 
the  proper  interest"  because  of  the  responsibility 
placed  upon  him  or  he  will  feel  that  he  is  a  nega- 
tive quantity  in  its  citizenship. 

With  his  customary  friendliness  the  author  re- 
minds his  people  of  the  existing  good  relations  be- 
tween the  races  of  North  Carolina  and  of  their 
personal  advantage  in  being  able  to  obtain  help  if 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        165 

they  have  estabhsht  a  record  for  honesty  and 
character.  He  would  have  them  remember  that 
both  the  major  poHtical  parties  are  zvhitc  parties 
and  that  the  stakes  of  Hfe  should  not  be  riskt  on 
the  turn  of  an  election. 

The  views  presented  in  this  address  may  be 
summarized  as  follows: 

The  Negro  is  here  to  stay.  He  is  free  to  engage  in 
commercial  activities  of  any  kind  but  has  not  yet  learned 
to  do  large-scale  business. 

The  kindly  interest  of  the  North  in  the  progress  of 
the  Negro  is  devoted  to  his  political  status;  whereas  the 
Negro's  economic  status  is  determined  by  his  participa- 
tion in  the  industrial  activities  of  the  South. 

Free  labor  is  more  beneficial  to  the  South  than  slave 
labor,  as  is  witnest  by  the  development  of  the  South 
since  slavery. 

Gratitude  is  due  the  people  of  the  South  for  giving 
employment  to  the  Negro  and  for  helping  to  educate 
him.     North   Carolina  has   done  nobly  toward  this  end. 

There  can  be  no  general  migration  to  Africa.  Instead 
of  preaching  migration,  Negro  leaders  should  preach 
economy  and  accumulation ;  and  that  having  something 
to  represent  is  what  makes  people  representative. 

The  masses  of  Negroes  are  laborers  and  therefore 
their  interests  will  best  be  served  by  holding  their 
employment  and  subordinating  politics.  Their  white 
employers  are  Democrats  as  well  as  Republicans  and  the 
Negro  should  not  put  his  dependence  in  either  party 
exclusively. 


166  JOHN  MERRICK 

The  masses  of  the  race  have  been  injured  by  too 
great  emphasis  on  political  and  too  little  emphasis  on 
commercial  and  industrial  advancement.  Participation  in 
politics  leads  to  corruption  and  those  entering  that  career 
and  turning  their  attention  to  party  and  office,  soon  lose 
their  prestige  and  are  forced  to  stick  to  the  game  of 
politics  for  a  livelihood. 

As  to  the  Wilmington  riot :  Negroes  were  in  the  major- 
ity and  controlled  the  affairs  of  the  city;  but  the  minority 
of  the  whites  owned  most  of  the  property  and  paid  most 
of  the  taxes.  It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  a  clash 
should  come.  If  the  Negroes  of  Wilmington  had  owned 
half   the  property  there  would  have  been  little  trouble. 

The  Negro  owed  a  great  debt  of  gratitude  to  the 
Republican  Party  but  he  has  paid  it  by  consecutive 
loyalty  ever  since  the  Emancipation.  The  time  has  now 
come  for  him  to  vote  as  he  pleases. 

The  Negro  should  have  his  share  of  representation 
in  the  government  and  his  share  of  civic  responsibility 
but  his  sole  desire  should  not  be  the  holding  of  office 
and  he  should  not  think  he  is  the  whole  Republican 
Party.  The  Negroes  of  North  Carolina  should  be  proud 
of  the  fact  that  they  are  sending  a  representative  to 
Congress. 

Party  elections  are  not  of  great  importance  to  the 
Negro  laborer,  since  they  do  not  change  his  economic 
status.  He  will  have  to  fill  the  same  job  no  matter  who  is 
elected. 

In  order  to  obtain  more  for  his  services  the  Negro 
laborer  needs  to  remain  friendly  with  his  white  employer ; 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        167 

therefore  he  should  give  more  thot  to  maintaining  friendly- 
relations  and  saving  and  building  homes. 

From  this  summary  may  be  deduced  five  main 
points  by  which  the  whole  utterance  may  be 
tested : 

1.  The  Negro  should  seek  and  maintain  friendly 
relations  with  the  whites  of  the  South. 

2.  The  majority  of  Negroes  are  laborers  and  their 
economic  interests  should  not  be  lost  sight  of  nor  subor- 
dinated in  their  struggle  for  political  rights. 

3.  The  Negro  should  share  in  the  government  and 
exercise  civic  responsibility;  but  he  should  not  ally  him- 
self exclusively  with  either  of  the  major  political  parties. 

4.  Those  who  own  the  land  will  in  the  long  run 
control  the  government. 

5.  Negro  leaders  should  preach  economy  and  accu.- 
mulation.  Having  something  to  represent  is  what  makes 
people  representative. 

These  fundamental  points  attest  the  wisdom 
of  John  Merrick.  It  can  be  truly  said  that  he 
endeavored  to  prove  their  value  thru  the  whole 
conduct  of  his  life. 


CHAPTER  XV    • 

JOHN    MERRICK THE   CONNECTING   LINK 

THE  question  of  race  relations  is  one  which 
vexes  the  constructive  minds  of  the  Nation 
as  no  other.  There  has  been  so  much  bit- 
terness and  contempt  in  the  deahngs  between  the 
races  that  all  endeavor  to  approach  a  solution 
with  calm  detachment  and  broad  statesmanship 
has  been  pre-empted  by  competitive  fury.  In- 
deed there  has  been  a  w^elter  of  recrimination 
except  for  a  small  Inner  Circle  which  has  pre- 
served its  equipoise  and  defied  the  maledictions 
of  the  alarmists. 

There  are  white  men  and  women  in  America 
today  who  have  no  fear  for  the  security  of  the 
race  of  Shakespeare  and  Lincoln.  These  men  and 
women  have  undying  faith  in  a  democracy  which 
can  produce  acknowledged  American  leaders  of 
African  descent ;  and  in  that  token  'they  repledge 
their  faith  and  rededicate  their  lives  to  the  fulfill- 
ment of  the  principles  upon  which  the  American 
Commonwealth  was  establisht.     There  are  black 

[168] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         169 

men  and  women  in  America  today  who  have  un- 
faiHng  beHef  in  a  democracy  that  has  produced 
Moortield  Story  and  Thomas  Walter  Bickett; 
and  in  that  token  they  revive  their  hope  and 
stretch  their  hands  across  the  chasm  of  distrust 
and  misunderstanding  that  forms  the  great  bar- 
rier between  the  races. 

These  Httle  groups  of  men  and  women  hve  and 
work  side  by  side  in  the  North  and  in  the  South. 
Whenever  they  cease  to  exist,  America  will  be- 
come a  trackless  waste  and  a  howling  wilderness. 

In  this  study  of  the  life  and  worth  of  John 
Merrick  it  is  most  fitting  and  proper  that  the 
glowing  encomiums,  offered  in  final  tribute  by 
his  white  friends  of  the  City  of  Durham,  be  re- 
corded. They  are  presented  not  because  the 
writers  are  white  men  but  because  they  are 
themselves  men  of  character  and  worth — the 
builders  of  a  great  city,  men  whose  opinions  will 
be  valued  in  their  estimate  of  a  fellow-townsman 
and  patriot.  In  these  testimonials  there  is  a  ring 
of  sincerity  as  well  as  a  depth  of  personal  esteem 
which  reveals  the  great  heart  of  the  Inner  Circle. 
It  was  because  of  no  maudlin  and  flabby  senti- 
mentalism  that  they  recognized  and  appreciated 
John  Merrick;  but  rather  because  it  is  their  dis- 


170  JOHN  MERRICK 

position  to  place  supreme  approbation  upon  in- 
tegrity of  character  and  beauty  of  soul,  whether 
it  is  revealed  in  a  black  man  or  a  white  man. 

His  Honor,  M.  E.  Newsom,  Mayor  of  Durham, 
gives  this  excellent  summary  of  the  character  of 
Mr.  Merrick: 

"The  life  of  our  late  friend,  John  Merrick,  has  meant 
much  to  our  community,  our  State  and  Nation.  Quietly 
but  surely,  during  his  early  life,  he  won  the  confidence 
and  good  will  of  his  white  friends  without  releasing  the 
influence  which  he  had  with  those  of  his  own  race ;  and 
as  years  past,  this  joint  relationship  and  fellowship 
which  he  enjoyed  increast  to  such  magnitude  that  his 
counsel  was  heard  and  his  advice  was  heeded  in  the 
halls  of  many  states. 

"His  life  in  our  midst  was  without  pretense  or  false 
ambition.  His  vision  was  not  of  the  impossible.  His 
hopes  were  not  founded  on  idealistic  dreams.  Each 
accomplishment  was  in  itself  justification  of  larger  plans 
and  the  total  of  these  accomplishments  the  foundation 
for  his  ever-expanding  acts  of  usefulness.  He  was  a 
man  of  material  wealth,  having  accumulated  quite  a 
fortune  before  his  untimely  death ;  but  when  we  look 
back  upon  his  life  his  accumulation  of  worldly  goods 
seems  insignificant  compared  with  his  struggle  for  the 
uplifting  of  his  race  and  the  unselfishness  of  his  service 
to  mankind." 

Mr.  J.  B.  Duke,  multi-millionaire  tobacco  manu- 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        171 

facturer  of  New  York,  London  and  North  Caro- 
lina, steadfast  friend  and  adviser  of  Mr.  Mer- 
rick, says: 

^'John  Merrick  was  a  remarkable  man.  In  the  course 
of  a  career  that  was  made  all  too  short  by  his  untimely 
death,  he  rose  from  humble  beginnings  to  a  place  of 
influence  and  power  in  the  business  world.  He  was  one 
of  the  few  men  of  his  race  I  have  known  who  had  the 
ability  to  build  up  a  large  business  thru  the  co-opera- 
tion of  many  other  men.  He  was  able  to  do  this  because 
he  had  business  ability  of  first-rate  quality  and  because 
he  had  traits  of  character  that  made  it  natural  for  other 
men  to  trust  him  and  to  work  with  him.  By  these  same 
traits  of  character,  in  the  midst  of  his  success,  perhaps 
I  should  say  in  spite  of  his  success,  all  his  life  he  kept 
the  respect  of  his  white  neighbors  and  did  not  excite 
the  envy  of  his  colored  neighbors.  And  he  was  not  only 
interested  in  his  own  business,  he  was  interested  in 
everything  that  lookt  to  the  good  of  his  race  and  the 
good  of  the  whole  community. 

"As  a  successful  business  man,  as  a  hard  and  faithful 
worker,  in  kindly,  intimate,  patient  ways  for  the  causes 
of  the  church,  the  school,  the  hospital,  and  all  commu- 
nity interests,  as  a  loyal  American  citizen,  he  has  set 
an  example  for  all  men  of  his  race.  If  enough  of  them 
follow  his  example,  the  South  can  develop  along  lines 
that  will  make  secure  its  own  future  and  point  the  way 
for  America  to  escape  hurtful  race  and  class  conflicts. 
The  value  of  a  life  like  this  cannot  be  estimated.     The 


172  JOHN  MERRICK 


name  of  Merrick  deserves  to  live  and  be  a  constant  call 
to  others  to 
of  mankind. 


to  others  to  seek  success  and  to  use  success  for  the  good 


Mr.  Benjamin  N.  Duke,  president  of  the  Fidel- 
ity Bank,  and  retired  capitalist,  says : 

"I  knew  John  Alerrick  well  for  thirty  years.  During 
that  period  he  rose  from  a  barber's  chair  to  a  business 
standing  in  the  community  of  large  importance  and  influ- 
ence. Perhaps  no  man  of  his  race  in  North  Carolina  has 
ever  won  more  conspicuous  business  success  than  he. 
But  this  fact  alone  does  not  account  for  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held  by  Durham  people  of  all  classes 
and  races.  He  was  unspoiled  by  success.  He  never  lost 
the  'common  touch.'  He  loved  his  own  people  and  sought 
in  all  possible  ways  to  serve  them.  He  also  had  at  heart 
the  welfare  of  the  wdiole  community.  And  he  not  only 
had  good  impulses,  but  he  had  the  practical  common 
sense  that  put  him  on  the  right  side  of  every  question. 

"Lives  like  his  point  the  way  out  of  the  warfares 
between  labor  and  capital,  the  racial  conflicts,  and  every 
other  sort  of  confusion  that  can  arise  in  a  country  like 
ours.  Take  him  for  all  in  all, — his  achievements,  his 
wisdom,  and  his  character,  he  was  surpassed  by  no  man 
of  his  race  that  I  have  ever  known.  He  did  great  good 
in  Durham,  in  North  Carolina,  and  in  the  South,  and 
his  early  death  was  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  community, 
the  state  and  the  country." 

General  Julian  S.  Carr,  that  faithful  friend  and 
benefactor  of  the  Negro  race,  comes  as  a  devoted 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        173 

friend  to  testify  to  Mr.  Merrick's  devotion  to  the 
uplift  of  humanity: 

"Mark  Anthony  standing  beside  the  bier  of  the  great 
C^sar  said,  'I  come  to  bury  Caesar,  not  to  praise  him.' 
I  count  myself  fortunate  to  be  allowed  to  pay  tribute 
to  the  memory  of  my  deceast  friend;  for  indeed  we 
were  friends  from  his  youth.  I  measure  my  words 
when  I  say  that  few  if  any  men  who  ever  lived  in  this 
community  more  thotfuUy  dedicated  their  lives  to 
the  uplift  of  their  fellow-man  than  did  John  Merrick; 
and  tho  worms  destroy  his  body,  his  good  name  ought 
not  and  will  not  die  but  will  be  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. For  such  a  life  as  John  Merrick  lived  in  a 
community  that  greatly  respected  him 

'There  is  no  death,  the  stars  go  down 
To  rise  upon  some  fairer  shore, 

And  bright  in  Heaven's  jeweled  crown 
They  shine   forever  more.' 

"John  Merrick  was  a  born  Chesterfield,  as  polisht  in  his 
manners  as  a  needle,  honest,  upright  and  distinctly  fair 
in  all  his  relations  to  life.  His  life  work  was  a  well 
rounded  meritorious  success,  worthy  of  emulation  by 
every  one  who  aims  to  make  life  worth  living  and  in  dying 
leave  a  good  name,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who 
had  the  privilege  of  knowing  him.  Surely  it  will  be 
long  before  we  look  upon  his  like  again.  Peace  to  thy 
ashes,  most  noble  friend." 


174  JOHN  MERRICK 

Bishop  John  C.  Kilgo,  president  emeritus  of 
Trinity  College,  speaks  of  the  quality  of  leader- 
ship Mr.  Merrick  possest: 

'John  Merrick  stood  much  higher  than  the  general 
level  of  his  generation  and  by  his  distinctive  figure 
commanded  the  attention  of  men.  He  could  not  be 
hid.  He  was  too  tall  not  to  be  seen.  By  every  con- 
sideration he  deserves  a  biography.  It  would  be  un- 
pardonable to  allow  his  memory  to  run  out  as  tradition. 
He  did  things  of  lasting  meaning  and  value  and  a  per- 
manent record  is  due  him ;  and  is  due  also  those  among 
whom  he  lived  as  an  expression  of  their  esteem  of 
him.  All  who  knew  him  will  welcome  the  story  of  his 
life.     It  is  a  story  which  other  generations  should  know. 

"In  these  days  of  rush  an  over-emphasis  is  placed 
on  deeds,  activity,  things  achieved;  small  value  is  given 
to  virtues  in  themselves.  Just  to  be  good  and  brave 
and  noble  is  not  highly  esteemed.  The  modern  school 
exalts  the  man  who  does  things  regardless  of  what  he 
may  be  in  himself.  Sainthood  is  an  incident;  doing 
something  is  the  real  thing.  This  is  no  credit  to  our 
times.  It  is  far  better  to  be  than  it  is  to  do,  altho 
both  may  go  well  together.  John  Merrick  was  a  man 
in  whom  were  found  the  most  splendid  things  of  human 
nature;  he  was  a  credit  to  mankind. 

"  'Christian  gentleman'  is  high  language  to  apply  to 
any  man,  yet  it  is  not  extravagant  to  use  as  the  descrip- 
tion of  this  man's  personal  character.  Free  from  all 
the  artificial    forms   of    high   manners    he   was    in  his 


lili 


j 


/ 


I  / 


/ 


/ 


i 


AT  THE  AGE   OF   55 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        175 

essential  nature  a  man  of  fine  soul.  The  sense  of  the 
best  things  filled  his  spirit  and  guided  him  in  all  his 
relations  and  social  duties. 

"He  was  a  worker  as  wxll  as  a  man  of  markt  charac- 
ter. He  had  no  fear  of  work.  There  was  not  an  idle 
cell  in  his  blood.  He  spent  his  life  in  a  most  eventful 
period  of  his  people's  history.  They  had  to  find  them- 
selves and  relate  themselves  to  a  new  order  of  things. 
It  was  no  small  task.  There  was  little  to  inspire  hope 
or  encourage  effort.  Leaders  had  to  be  made  and 
brick  formed  without  straw.  Such  circumstances  try 
the  souls  of  men.  But  this  man  did  not  despair,  he  did 
not  complain,  he  did  not  surrender  to  conditions.  With 
an  indomitable  faith  in  himself  and  a  sane  faith  in 
his  people  he  broke  conditions  and  opened  a  route  into 
the  big  world  and  showed  his  people  the  way.  Never 
once  did  he  falter.  Nor  was  he  swept  oiT  his  feet  by 
any  vain  dream  or  delusion.  He  kept  his  feet  on  the 
ground  and  walkt  steadily  and  firmly. 

"John  Merrick  was  honored  and  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him;  his  history  makes  one  of  the  rich  chapters 
of  Durham's  growth  and  he  will  always  stand  out  as 
a  commanding  figure  among  the  builders  of  his  people. 

Mr.  John  Sprunt  Hill,  president  of  the  Durham 
Loan  and  Trust  Company,  says  Mr.  Merrick  was 
not  only  the  connecting  link  between  the  colored 
and  white  people  but  also  between  the  old  and  the 
new  life  of  the  Negro  race : 


176  JOHN  MERRICK 

*'In  this  busy  work-a-day  world,  it  is  the  fortune  of 
but  few  men  to  rise  above  the  general  level  of  their  fellow 
workers  and  stand  out  conspicuously  in  a  great  crowd. 
John  Merrick  was  one  of  these  few  and  fortunate  men. 
Starting  life  in  an  humble  way,  with  limited  means  and 
limited  education,  he  climbed  steadily  to  the  top  in  many 
lines  of  endeavor  and  his  untimely  death  took  him  away 
from  us  just  as  he  was  about  to  receive  full  recogni- 
tion by  the  general  public  of  the  success  that  he  had 
attained  and  of  the  splendid  service  that  he  had  rendered 
to  the  public.  He  was  a  man  of  broad  vision,  keen 
foresight,  ,  sound  judgment,  ready  wit  and  untiring 
energy.  Step  by  step,  he  overcame  all  obstacles  in  his 
pathway  until,  at  middle  age,  he  had  pusht  to  the  front 
as  a  business  man,  had  amast  a  fortune  for  himself 
and  as  president  of  the  greatest  Negro  insurance  com- 
pany in  the  world,  had  toucht  the  lives  and  hearts  of 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  Negro  people  all  over  our 
broad  Southland.  His  pre-eminent  success  and  immense 
power  never  turned  his  head.  Always  humble,  cheerful, 
polite,  tolerant,  hopeful,  he  v/orkt  steadily  for  the  up- 
building of  his  race,  and  in  due  season  became  one  of 
the  great  connecting  links  between  its  old  life  of  dis- 
content, idleness  and  poverty  and  its  new  life  of  satis- 
faction, industry  and  success. 

''John  Merrick  lived  thru  many  periods  of  stress 
and  strain  but  his  remarkable  patience  and  his  unerring 
judgment  always  pointed  out  to  him  the  right,  the  safe 
and  the  sure  way.  He  had  no  use  for  the  agitator,  loaded 
with    dangerous    passion    and    prejudice.      He    did    not 


A' BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH         177 

believe  in  half-baked  theories  and  revolutionary  doc- 
trines but  believed  in  making  progress  by  steady  work 
and  everlasting  perseverance  along  the  well-tried  roads 
to  success.  Busy  man  as  he  was,  he  always  had  plenty 
of  time  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  the  upbuilding  of  his 
State  and  his  people.  •  To  John  Merrick  more  than  any 
other  person  in  this  community,  perhaps,  was  due  the 
credit  of  promoting,  maintaining  and  preserving  for 
future  generations  the  splendid  feeling  of  confidence  and 
respect  that  has  for  many  years  prevailed  between  the 
races  in  this  part  of  the  South.  The  net  result  of  his 
accomplishments  was  indeed  remarkable.  His  career  is 
an  example  for  the  rising  generations  to  study  and  emu- 
late.    The  story  of  his  life  will  always  prove  inspiring." 

Professor  W.  D.  Carmichael,  secretary  o£  the 
Liggett  and  Myers  Tobacco  Company,  for  many 
years  superintendent  of  the  Durham  PubHc 
Schools,  says: 

"In  the  death  of  John  Merrick,  Durham  lost  one  of 
its  most  useful  and  helpful  citizens,  and  his  race  one  of 
the  sanest  and  most  thotful,  constructive  and  progressive 
leaders. 

"Born  in  humble  circumstances,  he  utilized  in  a  won- 
derful way  every  opportunity  for  development,  so  that 
he  not  only  accumulated  a  fortune,  but  made  for  himself 
the  integrity  and  stability  of  character  and  intellectual 
strength  which  markt  him  as  one  of  the  great  men  of 
his  race.     He  translated  a  fine  sense  of  proportion  and 


178  JOHN  MERRICK 

relationship  in  life  into  practical  living  in  a  sort  of  way 
that  merited  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  best  men 
in  both  races  in  this  community,  and  extended  his  in- 
fluence not  only  over  North  Carolina,  but  throughout 
other  states.  Every  year  his  influence  was  widening, 
and  he  was  being  recognized  in  wider  and  wider  circles 
as  a  great  leader  of  his  race. 

"His  life  is  a  most  notable  example  of  achievement 
in  the  face  of  difficulties,  and  should  be  and  is,  a  splen- 
did inspiration  to  his  people.  Not  only  this  community, 
but  the  South  and  the  nation,  is  poorer  for  the  loss  of 
such  a  man." 

Two  officers  of  Durham's  leading  banking  in- 
stitutions speak  of  Mr.  Merrick's  integrity  and 
good  faith  in  his  business  deaHngs.  Mr.  John  F. 
Wily,  vice-president  of  the  Fidelity  Bank,  says: 

*'It  was  with  the  deepest  regret  that  I  learned  of  the 
death  of  John  Merrick.  Having  known  him  for  at  least 
twenty-five  years  I  can  testify  as  to  his  value  to  his  race 
and  as  a  citizen  of  this  community. 

"His  success  in  life  was  remarkable  and  I  attribute  it 
to  his  integrity  of  character.  He  was  exceptionally 
careful  in  living  up  to  his  word,  whether  it  was  written 
or  spoken.  He  exercised  over  his  people  a  wonderful 
influence.  They  were  devoted  to  him  and  he  was  a 
leader  among  them.  His  death  is  a  distinct  loss  to  our 
community." 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        179 

Mr.  J.  B.  Mason,  cashier  of  the  Citizens  Na- 
tional Bank,  says: 

''He  taught  his  race  that  they  must  teach  lessons  of 
love,  thrift  and  reliability  to  their  children  and  prove 
their  worth  as  citizens.  In  this  way  they  could  build  up 
confidence  between  the  races  which  would  stand.     .     . 

''He  was  punctual  in  keeping  his  business  engage- 
ments and  the  name  of  John  Merrick  on  a  note  was 
good  at  any  bank  in  Durham.  He  enjoyed  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  white  people  of  Durham  to  a  remark- 
able degree  and  it  was  this  fact,  combined  with  his 
shrewdness  as  a  far-sighted  business  man,  which  enabled 
him  to  amass  quite  a  fortune.  He  always  stood  on  the 
side  of  progress.  He  believed  in  Durham  and  in  the 
people  of  Durham;  and  the  people  of  Durham  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  white  and  black,  believed  in  John 
Merrick." 

Mr.  W.  F.  Carr,  secretary  and  assistant  treas- 
urer of  the  Durham  Hosiery  Mills,  philosophies 
on  John  Merrick  as  a  connecting  link  between  the 
races : 

"John  Merrick  belonged  to  that  class  of  Negroes  who 
bring  closer  together,  rather  than  separate,  the  white  and 
colored  races.  If  more  men  of  both  colors  had  the  same 
feeling  and  attitude  towards  the  opposite  race  that 
John  Merrick  had  there  would  be  no  race  problem. 

"This  influence  regarding  the  relation  of  the  two 
races  was  constructive.     He  was  a  builder-up  and  not  a 


180  JOHN  MERRICK 

tearer-down.  The  white  people  who  came  in  contact 
with  'Gentleman  John'  Merrick  had  more  respect  for 
him  and  his  race  by  reason  of  that  contact.  He  was  po- 
lite without  being  obsequious,  successful  without  being 
overbearing,  shrewd  without  being  unfair. 

"I  liked  him  personally  and  admired  his  business 
ability  and  acumen.  Honor  to  the  ashes  of  'Gentleman 
John.'  " 

Mr.  W.  J.  Griswold,  president  of  the  Griswold 
Insurance  and  Real  Estate  Company,  speaks  of 
the  soundness  of  Mr.  Merrick's  views : 

*'It  gives  me  pleasure  to  attest  to  the  good  character 
and  esteem  in  which  the  late  John  Merrick  was  held  by 
those  who  knew  him.  I  knew  John  Merrick  for  thirty 
years  and  knew  him  to  be  a  good,  honorable  and  upright 
Christian  citizen.  I  never  heard  a  word  spoken  of  him 
but  what  was  to  his  praise,  both  as  to  character  and  busi- 
ness ability.  In  his  death  the  community  lost  one  of  its 
best  citizens  and  the  colored  people  one  of  their  fore- 
most and  best  friends  and  advisers.  I  had  many  talks 
with  him  during  his  life  on  various  matters  and  always 
found  him  thinking  and  working  along  the  right  lines  for 
the  good  of  his  people  and  the  public  generally.  His 
business  career  as  well  as  his  life  was  one  that  his  fam- 
ily and  friends  have  just  cause  to  be  proud  of." 

Among  the  tributes  from  out  of  town  friends 
who  read  the  news  releases  reporting  Mr.  Mer- 
rick's death  were  two  from  North   Carolinians 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        181 

who  were  in  Washington.  Mr.  S.  R.  Winters, 
staff  correspondent  and  manager  of  the  Washing- 
ton Bureau  of  the  Raleigh  Nczvs  and  Observer, 
praises  Mr.  Merrick  as  a  self-made  man: 

"I  have  just  noted  with  profound  regret  the  death  of 
John  Merrick. 

"Indeed  a  leader  of  his  race  has  fallen.  To  me  John 
Merrick  typified  the  best  of  workmen.  To  him  the  ac- 
cumulation of  wealth  was  but  the  means  unto  an  end; 
to  inspire  and  instruct  his  co-workers  by  his  ow^n  com- 
mendable example  were  all-important. 

"He  built  his  own  monument — master  craftsman  that 
he  was.  Beginning  life  amid  humble  surroundings,  over- 
coming tremendous  odds,  he  rose  by  his  own  bootstraps 
to  the  supreme  leadership.  Measured  in  terms  of  the 
lives  he  toucht  and  inspired  for  better  living,  by  the 
deeds  of  achievement  and  the  worthy  undertakings  he 
supported, — John  Merrick  was  truly  great  among  his 
race." 

Mr.  L.  Sneed  Sasser,  writing  from  the  Bureau 
of  War  Risk  Insurance,  speaks  of  the  North 
Carolina  Mutual  as  a  monument  to  its  creator : 

"It  is  entirely  useless  for  me  to  go  into  any  discus- 
sion of  the  many  good  qualities  of  the  man  himself,  for 
I  thoroly  agree  with  all  the  good  things  that  will  be  said 
about  him.  And  I  am  sure  that  the  same  high  standard 
of  business  integrity  that  he  so  carefully  made  a  part 


182  JOHN  MERRICK 

of  the  foundation  of  your  Company  will  continue  to  pre- 
dominate and  make  doubly  sure  its  future  success ;  and 
it  will  ever  be  a  living  monument  to  the  memory  of  its 
creator. 

"The  City  of  Durham  will  lose  more  in  the  death  of 
John  Merrick  than  the  mass  of  its  citizens  will  ever 
know.  His  standard  of  citizenship  will  continue  to  be 
an  ideal  for  both  races  and  he  will  be  missed  by  all 
classes  and  especially  those  whose  good  fortune  it  w^as 
to  know  him  personally." 


CHAPTER  XVI 
''ye  have  done  it  unto  me" 

To  EVERY  man  comes  death  and  the  day 
of  fine  appraisal.    The  world  sits  as  a  court 
and  the  bosom  friends  are  the  testifiers.  The 
mute  widow  and  the  fatherless,  bowed  with  grief 
and  sad  of  countenance,  accept  the  verdict  of  God. 

They  came  on  that  day  from  near  and  far — 
old  and  young,  black  and  white,  priest  and  out- 
cast, rich  and  poor.  They  had  had  one  common 
friend;  they  would  weep  together  on  one  bier  in. 
which  the  heart  of  each  was  interred.  The  touch 
of  that  one  hand  had  made  them  all  akin ;  the  love 
of  that  one  heart  had  encompassed  them  all. 

"Abide  With  Me,  Fast  Falls  the  Even'  Tide." 
Then  prayer:  ''Oh,  God!  Comfort  Thy  Children." 

Then  the  note  of  comfort  and  triumph:  'TVe 
Reached  the  Land  of  Corn  and  Wine  —  Sweet 
Beulah  Land,  Sweet  Beulah  Land!" 

*'0  death,  where  is  thy  sting? 
"O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory? 
"So    when    this    corruptible    shall    have 
[183] 


184  JOHN  MERRICK 

put  on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal 
shall  h^ve  put  on  immortality,  then 
shall  be  brot  to  pass  the  saying  that 
is  written : 
"Death  is  swallozved  up  in  victory T 

The  sweet- voiced  singer  lifted  her  voice  and 
sang.  The  melody  proceeded  from  a  heart  toucht 
with  the  pangs  of  sorrow  but  soothed  with  the 
satisfaction  of  Heaven's  assurance : 

There's  never  a  day  so  dreary 

But  God  can  make  it  bright, 
And  unto  the  soul  that  trusts  him 

He  giveth  a  song  in  the  night. 

There's  never  a  path  so  hidden 

But  God  will  lead  the  way, 
If  we  seek  for  the  Spirit's  guidance 

And  patiently  wait  and  pray. 

The  preacher*  came  forth  and  poured  out  his 
spirit  to  the  people  : 

"And  the  King  shall  answer  and  say  unto  them,  Verily 
I  say  unto  you,  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one 
of  the  least  of  these  my  Brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto 
me." 

'Tt  was  a  principle  laid  down  by  our  Lord  and  Savior 
that  greatness  must  rest  upon  service.   When  the  disci - 


*  Reverend  W.  C.  Cleland. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        185 

pies  clamored  for  the  first  place,  He  proclaimed  to  them 
that   'If  any  man  desire  to  be  first,  the  same  shall  be  last 
of  all,  and  servant  of  all.'    Truly  as  the  night  follows  the 
dav,  service  has  its  reward.     .     .     These  are  they  that 
come  up  before  the  Lord  and  Master  at  the  final  reckon- 
ing, when  they  shall  receive  their  reward  and  the  words 
of'^consolation  that  shall  come  from  him  on  that  occasion. 
"We  have  gathered  here  this   afternoon  to  pay   our 
respect   to   the    memory   of    John    Merrick,    one   of    the 
makers   of    Durham,   and   not   only   of    Durham,   but   of 
this  country.     One  who  has  struggled  thru  many  diffi- 
culties   and   hardships ;    who    has    come    from   the   lowly 
walks  of  life  and  made  his  way  among  the  financiers  of 
this  country.     But  we  do  not  look  upon  him  as  a  mere 
financier,  for  he  was  more  than  that.     As  we  follow  him 
thru  his  struggles  in  life,  day  by  day,  we  discover  that 
there   breathed   within   his   mortal   frame   a   great^  soul. 
It  was  not  his  purpose  simply  to  get  money  in  this  life 
but  it  was  his  purpose  to  live  a  life  in  harmony  with  his 
friends  and  in  touch  with  his  fellow-man.     The  words 
that  we  say  will  be  a  very  small  tribute  to  the  life  of  the 
deceast ;  but  if  you  will  take  a  few  moments  and  move  up 
and  down  the  streets  in  Durham  you  will  find  the  true 
work  of  his  great  soul  as  it  is  proclaimed  from  the  lips 
of  men  and  women  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.     A 
man  cannot  accomplish  very  much  in  life  if  he  is  not  in 
harmony  with  his '  surroundings ;  if   he  is   out  of  touch 
with  his   fellowman.      But   that   man   who   sets   himself 
against  obstacles,  that  man  who   casts  his  lot  with  his 
fellow-man  and  moves  forward  with  him  to  a  common 


186  JOHN  MERRICK 

destiny,  that  is  the  man  who  amounts  to  something  in 
this  world.  Whether  he  be  a  white  man  or  a  black  man, 
he  stands  out  prominently  as  one  of  the  makers  of  this 
world 

"It  has  been  only  a  few  hours  since  widows  here  pro- 
claimed the  true  value  of  the  man  who  has  past  off  the 
stage  of  action.  It  was  touching  when  a  widow  not 
long  ago  came  to  the  parsonage  and  said :  'John  Merrick 
stood  by  me  when  I  was  in  trouble ;  that  man  helpt  me.' 
That  is  one  of  the  many  praises  that  come  up  not  only 
from  Durham  but  from  other  parts  of  the  country. 
Many  boys  and  girls  here  and  elsewhere  can  trace  their 
beginning  in  life  to  the  charity  and  forethot  of  the  man 
who  is  now  deceast.  John  Merrick  has  simply  ceast  to 
breathe  here.  The  life  that  he  has  lived  will  perpetuate 
itself  in  the  lives  of  those  w^hom  he  has  toucht. 

"He  was  not  satisfied  with  touching  the  lives  of  those 
in  his  immediate  surroundings  but  when  he  lookt  out 
upon  humanity  he  seemed  to  catch  a  vision  and  he  en- 
deavored to  follow  the  reality  of  the  vision  in  order  that 
he  might  help  men  and  women  all  over  this  country. 
When  the  widow  was  shedding  briny  tears  he  provided, 
thru  his  efforts,  that  the  briny  tears  might  be  brusht 
from  her  eyes.  I  have  not  dared  to  estimate  all  the 
ways  that  this  noble  life  has  toucht  the  lives  of  others  in 
charity  and  sympathy  and  generosity.     .     .     . 

"He  did  not  stop  there.  He  was  not  satisfied  with 
material  gain  but  the  deceast  lookt  up  to  that  God  from 
whom  all  help  comes;  the  God  of  our  fathers  was  the 
one  he  lookt  to   for  his  guidance  and  help.     He  was  a 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        187 

Christian.  We  would  not  dare  to  say  he  did  not  have 
his  faults  for  that  is  only  to  be  human;  and  that  very 
fact  is  why  the  Son  of  God  came  to  this  earth  that  all 
might  go  down  to  the  Healing  Stream  and  be  made  ser- 
vants of  God.  He  suffered  no  opportunities  to  depart 
from  him  that  he  might  do  service.  When  God  saw  fit 
to  end  his  life  he  put  up  a  brave  fight ;  not  because  he 
feared  death  but  because  he  wanted  a  few  more  days  to 
carry  on  the  great  work.  But  God  said,  'Johri^  come  up 
higher.' 

"My  friend  and  brother,  this  afternoon,  are  you  ready 
to  take  up  the  mantle  where  he  dropt  it  ?  Are  you  ready 
to  carry  on  the  good  work?  May  someone  rise  up  to 
take  the  mantle  of  the  deceast !  We  find  he  is  among 
the  number  to  whom  Christ  said,  'Inasmuch  as  you  have 
put  bread  in  the  widows'  and  orphans'  mouths,  you  have 
done  it  unto  me :  receive  this  crown  of  life  that  is  laid 
up  for  you.'  Sleep  on,  John,  and  when  the  bugle  from 
on  high  shall  sound  that  morning  and  the  army  of 
God  shall  come  up  and  inherit  the  Kingdom  prepared  for 
them  at  the  foundation  of  the  world  the  Master  shall  say 
to  you,  'For  inasmuch  as  you  have  done  it  unto  the  least 
of  my  little  ones,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.'  " 

Next  came  a  friend"^  with  a  heart  filled  to  over- 
flowing but  with  an  exultation  of  spirit  and  a 
surety  of  faith: 

"Friend  after  friend  depart, 
"Who  hath  not  lost  a  friend?" 


*  Mr.  W.  G.  Pearson. 


188  JOHN  MERRICK 

"When  John  Merrick  finisht  his  work  and  stept  into 
his  Httle  boat  and  steered  for  the  Beulah  Land,  I  lost  a 
friend. 

"As  a  business  man  he  had  the  confidence  of  both 
black  and  white  folks.  My  relationships  with  him  have 
been  many  and  varied.  We  pleasantly  rubbed  shoulder 
against  shoulder  in  the  organization  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  and  the  Mechanics 
and  Farmers  Bank,  and  in  the  development  of  the  Royal 
Knights  of  King  David.  At  his  death  he  was  the  Su- 
preme Grand  Treasurer  of  the  last  named  organization. 
During  the  many  years  that  he  held  this  position  he  dis- 
played the  greatest  integrity.  I  can  never  forget  the 
valuable  assistance  and  timely  advice  I  received  from 
him.  He  was  the  fortunate  possessor  of  wonderful  busi- 
ness acumen.  He  did  not  view  labor  as  a  burden  or 
chastisement  but  as  an  honor  and  glory. 

"As  a  citizen  his  chief  motive  power  was  a  regard 
for  duty.  This  abounding  sense  of  duty  was  the  crown 
of  his  character.  It  was  the  regal  and  commanding 
element  in  his  character  which  gave  it  unity,  compact- 
ness and  vigor.  Wlien  he  clearly  saw  his  duty  before 
him  he  did  it  at  all  hazards  and  with  inflexible  integrity. 
Neither  did  he  perform  it  for  effect,  nor  did  he  think  of 
the  glory  of  its  reward ;  but  because  he  knew  it  was  the 
right  thing  to  be  done.  Being  inspired  by  a  high  and 
noble  resolve,  he  was  enabled  to  stand  at  his  post  at  all 
times.  To  him  we  owe  a  large  measure  of  the  public  im- 
provements in  Hayti.  Durham  has  sorely  missed  him. 
Nevertheless,  he  has  made  himself  a  model  for  all  of  us 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        189 

who  yet  remain  to  follow  with  feeble  and  unequal  foot- 
steps in  all  our  civic  duties. 

"No  less  did  he  make  himself  prominent  in  church 
activities.  It  was  thru  him  that  the  late  Washington 
Duke  gave  large  donations  toward  the  construction  of 
St.  Joseph's  A.M.E.  Church.  Nor  was  he  unmindful  in 
the  matter  of  philanthropy.  Lincoln  Hospital,  the 
Durham  Colored  Library  and  the  Library  Building  at 
Kittrell  were  recipients  to  his  philanthropy.  He  never 
turned  from  his  door  disparagingly  the  deserving  poor 
but  helpt  them  with  kind  words  and  generous  deeds. 

"True  to  friendship,  his  home  was  mine  and 
mine  was  his.  When  dangers  and  difficulties  arose  he 
was  at  my  side  helping  to  dispel  impending  gloom.  There 
was  nothing  too  sacred  to  confide  in  him.  The  very  sight 
of  him  was  an  inspiration  to  me.  It  was  a  source  of 
great  pleasure  for  me  to  look  upon  his  manly  face,  to  see 
him  smile,  to  grasp  his  hand  and  hear  him  say,  'Hello, 
Bill.'  The  echo  of  that  voice  is  still  ringing  in  my  ears 
and  will  continue  to  ring  until  I  hear  him  shout  across  the 
ferry, — 'Come  on.  Bill.' 

'As  a  friend  I  could  not  help  but  admire  his  wonder- 
ful equanimity  of  disposition,  his  patience  and  forbear- 
ance, his  kindness  and  thotfulness  of  others,  ever  realiz- 
ing that  in  seeking  the  good  of  others  he  was  seeking 
his  own.  His  large  and  comprehensive  nature  made  him 
the  most  loving,  trustful  and  cheerful  of  men. 

"Having  known  John  Merrick  so  many  years,  I  can 
say  that  he  was  the  most  dependable  man  I  have  ever 


190  JOHN  MERRICK 

known.  Dependable  in  judgment,  in  friendship,  in  char- 
acter, in  integrity,  in  his  common  sense,  in  the  correct- 
ness of  his  conclusions  and  in  his  convictions." 

Last  came  that  stalwart  man*,  so  much  in  man- 
ner and  form  like  the  comrade  whose  praise  he 
sung : 

"It  is  no  easy  task  for  me  to  respond  to  the  request 
of  the  Master  of  Ceremonies  here  today  and  speak  over 
the  lifeless  form  of  my  beloved  friend  who  lies  there 
under  a  bank  of  flowers. 

''I  would  feel  more  at  ease  to  sit  there  in  silence  with 
the  family;  but  others  thot  different  and  so  I  yield. 
There  is,  however,  no  reason  why  I  should  not  mingle 
my  voice  with  others  in  this  tribute  of  last  respect  to 
one  with  whom  I  enjoyed  such  a  close  fellowship. 

"John  Merrick  made  his  own  record  and  wrote  his 
name  high  on  the  pillar  of  fame.  He  lived !  His  was  not 
merely  an  existence  of  a  human  being  passing  thru 
life  and  filling  space.  No,  he  lived  a  life  of  usefulness 
and  blessedness  that  made  the  world  better  because  he 
lived.  In  this  he  was  one  of  the  world's  richest  bene- 
factors. Having  overcome  difficulties  and  removed  ob- 
stacles that  he  found  in  his  pathway,  he  knew  how  to 
sympathize  with  and  feel  for  others  who  had  to  con- 
tend with  these  things  in  the  battle  of  life. 

"Indeed  it  was  after  he  had  past  others  along  the 
highway  of  life  and  could  look  back  and  see  them  strug- 
gling against  great  odds  and  disadvantages  that  he  be- 

*  Mr.  John  R.  Hawkins. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        191 

came  inspired  with  the  thot  to  do  something  that  would 
make  life  easier  and  relieve  suffering.  He  knew  with 
what  strong  ties  of  devotion  were  bound  together  the 
members  of  a  family  and  what  it  would  mean  to  throw 
around  that  family  circle  some  form  of  protection.  Fol- 
lowing this  idea  he  founded  the  North  Carolina  Mutual 
and  Provident  Association  which  has  grown  to  be  the 
largest  of  its  kind  among  Negroes  of  the  world.  From 
every  state  and  section  into  which  it  has  gone  have  come 
representatives  who  are  here  today,  with  choicest  flowers 
and  tenderest  emotions  for  him  whom  we  all  loved  and 
whose  memory  we  delight  to  honor. 

''Yes,  we  owe  him  all  honor  and  praise,  for  John 
Merrick  was  truly  a  Man  of  Honor!  He  was  an  honor 
to  this  community;  for  Durham  is  the  richer  and  better 
because  he  was  a  part  of  it.  Its  business  life,  its  social 
life,  its  religious  life — all  have  been  made  better  because 
of  what  he  contributed  to  them.  He  was  an  honor  to 
this  State  and  North  Carolinians  everywhere  have  been 
proud  to  point  to  him  as  one  of  its  illustrious  sons  and 
one  who  was  always  jealous  of  the  good  name  and  repu- 
tation of  his  state.  He  was  an  honor  to  this  Nation  and 
stood  in  the  rank  of  those  who  believed  in  the  principles 
laid  down  in  the  constitution  of  our  government  and 
was  every  ready  to  uphold  those  principles  with  life  and 
fortune. 

"Of  his  personal  traits  or  habits  of  life  we  need  but 
remark  that  his  was  a  life  of  service  and  inspiration. 
Indeed,  he  seemingly  forgot  self  in  serving  others.  A  more 
genial,  thotful  person  never  lived.     He  was  ever  on  the 


192  .  JOHN  MERRICK 

alert  to  see  what  he  could  do  to  contribute  to  the  pleas- 
ure, comfort  and  happiness  of  those  around  him.  And 
if  you  were  not  happy  in  his  presence  it  was  not  because 
he  did  not  shed  a  ray  of  sunshine  around  you;  for  his 
was  a  buoyant,  cheerful  spirit.  Possibly  this  was  most 
in  evidence  in  the  inner  circle  of  his  own  private  home, 
where  he  was  indeed  a  prince  as  a  husband,  father  and 
friend.  There  is  where  I  learned  to  know  him  best  and 
appreciate  him  most.  There  is  where  I  saw  in  him  the 
jewel  of  unmeasured  worth.  There  is  where  I  found 
myself  setting  him  up  in  my  own  life  as  a  worthy  ex- 
ample and  growing  to  love  and  trust  him ;  and  I  believe  it 
was  reciprocal,  for  I  think  he  loved  and  trusted  me.  One 
of  the  evidences  was  that  he  entrusted  to  me  the  respon- 
sibility of  directing  the  education  of  two  of  his  daugh- 
ters— a  trust  which  I  regarded  as  a  compliment  both  to 
me  personally  and  to  Kittrell  College,  the  institution  of 
which  I  was  then  president.  I  regard  it  fitting  to  say 
that  John  Merrick  still  lives  at  Kittrell  College  in  the 
beautiful  library  building  donated  by  him  and  named 
in  honor  of  his  devoted  wife. 

"He  was  a  man  with  a  fine  sense  of  interpretation. 
His  opinions  on  various  subjects  were  generally  well 
founded;  and  tho  cautious  and  measured  in  ex- 
pressing them  he  showed  that  he  possest  a  keen  insight 
to  human  nature  and  such  a  practical  knowledge  of  men 
and  things  as  to  make  his  judgment  and  opinion  of  great 
value  and  service.  Hence  his  call  to  so  many  positions 
of  honor  and  trust.  We  followed  him  because  we  be- 
lieved in  him. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        193 

"But  I  must  stop— I  close  with  this  thot-:  John  Mer- 
rick lived  not  only  in  the  present.  He  was  a  man  of 
vision.  His  was  the  Vision  Beautiful.  He  was  a  wor- 
shiper of  the  beautiful.  He  appreciated  beauty  in  his 
home  and  elsewhere  because  his  tastes  were  beautiful. 
One  writer  says,  'Wake  up  a  taste  of  beauty  in  one's  Hfe 
and  he  will  make  all  around  him  beautiful.' 

"Virgil  speaks  of  the  bow  of  his  friend  lighting  up 
the  firmament  as  it  flew  upwards.  John  Merrick's  soul 
has  taken  its  flight  upward,  heavenward;  and  because 
that  life,  that  soul  was  filled  with  light  and  beauty  it 
leaves  no  darkness  behind  it,  nothing  but  light  and  love- 
love  and  light ! 

"  'Father,  husband,  friend  we  have  traveled  long  together. 
Both  thru  fair  and  stormy  weather, 
'Tis  hard  to  part  with  one  so  dear. 
Then  steal  away,  give  no  fair  warning, 
Say  not  good  night,  for  in  a  fairer,  better  clime 
We'll  say  'good  morning.'  " 

On  a  woody  knoll,  near  the  side  of  a  hill,  he 
was  laid  in  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  Violet 
Cemetery,  the  burial  ground  which  he  had  opened 
for  the  people  of  Durham  and  had  named  for  his 
little  mother.  He  sank  into  her  arms  and  she 
took  him  on  her  breast  for  his  last,  long  repose. 


CHAPTER  XYH 

A  CLOUD  OF  WITNESSES 

PRAISE  and  sorrow  were  everywhere  ex- 
prest  by  the  friends  and  acquaintances  of 
Mr.  Merrick  at  his  death.  Hundreds  of  tele- 
grams and  letters  were  received  by  the  family  and 
officers  of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual,  all  telling 
the  same  story  and  bearing  the  same  tribute  to  the 
great  example  of  his  life.  They  came  from  peo- 
ple in  all  walks  of  life  and  of  both  races,  North 
and  South.  Only  a  few  of  the  most  expressive 
of  these  testimonials  can  here  be  quoted : 

"You  have  my  most  sincere  sympathy  and  prayers  in 
this  hour  of  your  great  sorrow.  .  .  ." — Dr.  S.  G. 
Atkins,  Principal  Slater  Normal  School,  Winston- 
Salem. 

'The  race  loses  one  of  its  greatest  assets  in  the  passing 
of  John  Merrick.  Quiet,  unassuming,  yet  withal  a  great 
doer  of  things.  Our  hearts  bow  in  sympathy  with  you 
in  your  present  bereavement." — Ira  T.  Bryant,  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer A.M.E.  Sunday  School  Union,  Nashville. 

"I  wish  to  express  deepest  sympathy  for  you  and 
family  in  the  great  loss  which  we  all  sustain  in  the  passing 
of    your   husband    who    was    a    man    of    high    character, 

[194] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        195 

unusually  keen  business  sagacity,  yet  always  generous 
and  kind." — R.  R.  Moton,  Principal  Tuskegee  Institute, 
Tuskegee. 

"Standard  Life  Insurance  Company,  in  common  with 
the  entire  race,  mourns  the  loss  of  your  distinguisht  co- 
worker and  friend,  John  Merrick." — Harry  H.  Pace, 
Secretary,  Standard  Life  Insurance  Company,  Atlanta. 
*'We  mourn  with  you  in  the  loss  of  a  worthy  citizen, 
a  Christian  gentleman,  a  devoted  husband  and  father. 
Deepest  sympathy."  —  (Mrs.)  Charlotte  Hawkins 
Brown,  Principal  Palmer  Memorial  Institute,  Sedalia. 

"Please  express  my  sincere  sympathy  to  Mrs.  Mer- 
rick and  family.  His  life  and  success  should  be  an  inspir- 
ation to  us.  His  death  is  a  great  loss  to  the  race 
in  this  critical  period." — Col.  Jas.  .H.  Young,  Grand 
Endozvment  Secretary,  F.A.A.M.,  Raleigh. 

"John  Merrick  was  beloved  by  all  because  of  his  most 
lovable  habits.  All  of  us  have  lost  a  sincere  and  valuable 
friend,  therefore  we  share  with  you  and  family  your 
grief.  Kindly  extend  family  tenderest  sympathy  of 
A.  and  T.  faculty  and  of  my  family."— Jas.  B.  Dudley, 
President,  Agricultural  and  Technical  College,  Greens- 
boro. 

"Shockt  to  learn  of  Brother  Merrick's  death.  To  me 
his  death  is  a  personal  loss.  The  Negro  race  has  lost 
one  of  its  strongest  business  men,  Durham  one  of  its 
foremost  and  most  exemplary  citizens.  Condolence  to 
family." — Bishop  George  W.  Clinton,  of  the  A.M.E. 
Zion  Church,  Charlotte. 


196  JOHN  MERRICK 

''Please  express  to  Mrs.  Merrick  and  her  family  my 
sincere  and  deepest  sympathy  in  their  great  bereavement. 
Mr.  Merrick  was  one  of  Durham's  best  citizens  and  a 
most  useful  man  of  the  race.  His  loss  will  be  greatly 
felt." — Fred  R.  Moore,  Editor  Nezu  York  Age,  New 
York  City. 

"To  live  in  the  hearts  we  leave  behind  is  not  to  die. 
Officers  and  agents  join  me  in  expressions  of  deepest 
sympathy  to  you  personally  and  your  Company  in  the 
double  loss  sustained." — S.  W.  Rutherford,  President 
National  Benefit  Life  Insurance  Company,  Washington, 
D.  C. 

"News  has  just  reacht  me  of  the  sad,  sad  death  of 
my  dear  friend,  John  Merrick.  The  shock  was  most 
distressing,  because  of  his  great  value  to  the  country  at 
this  time.  How  glorious  is  the  life  of  a  well-spent  man ; 
tho  it  passes,  yet  its  influence  remains.  It  has  pleased 
God  to  take  from  us  our  dear  brother.  He  has  been 
enrolled  in  the  chapter  eternal.  He  played  only  in  the 
ascending  beams  of  the  purest  fountain.  His  abbreviated 
career  but  reminds  us  what  it  means  to  live  a  great  life. 

"In  thot,  deed  and  character  he  represented  the 
loftiest  ideals  of  American  manhood  and  he  fell  asleep 
when  the  allotted  time  came.  We  must  prepare  to  meet 
him  again,  to  part  no  more,  when  the  Master  calls." — 
Eph  Williams,  Ozvncr  of  Eph  Williams  Shozv,  Winter 
Park. 

"Please  express  my  deep  and  profound  sympathy  to 
the  family  of  dear  Mr.  Merrick.  He  was  such  a  rare 
type  of  cultured  gentleman.     North  Carolina  has  lost  a 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        197 

noble  citizen,  the  colored  people  an  inspiration.  Durham 
has  cause  to  mourn  such  a  benefactor." — Bishop  J.  Al- 
bert Johnson,    of    the    A. MM.    Church,  Philadelphia. 

'The  news  in  the  morning's  paper  distrest  and  sad- 
dened me.  I  was  aware  that  he  had  been  ill  but  hoped 
that  his  life  would  be  spared  just  a  little  longer.  And 
this  hope  was  increast  when  I  saw  him  for  a  few  min- 
utes in  June.  In  the  death  of  John  Merrick  the  world 
has  lost  a  man,  the  race  a  leader  in  the  true  sense  of 
leadership  and  his  friends  and  intimates  one  most  loyal 
and  unselfish." — J.  E.  Taylor,   Wilmington. 

"He  was  a  man  to  make  friends,  never  to  lose  them. 
He  was  a  man  always  seeking  opportunities  to  do  good. 
Merrick,  John  O'Daniel,  another  noble  character,  and 
I  used  to  associate  together  and  were  called  the  'Three 
Johns.'  Sunday  afternoons  we  would  go  down  among 
the  poor  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  assistance,  usually 
on  the  suggestion  of  Merrick.  This  shows  what  kind 
of  a  man  Merrick  was.  He  could  not  say  'no'  when 
anyone  askt  a  favor  and  was  always  a  contributor  to 
the  cause  of  God  and  humanity. 

"Merrick  and  I,  with  Prof.  W.  G.  Pearson  and 
others,  were  associated  together  in  the  work  of  the 
order  of  the  Royal  Knights  of  King  David.  He  was 
treasurer  of  that  organization.  He  was  also  connected 
with  the  Three  Johns'  excursions  which  became  very 
popular  thruout  the  State. 

"No  ordinary  man  could  have  graspt  the  situation  or 
brancht  out  in  the  business  world  without  possessing  the 
qualities  held  by  Merrick.  John  Merrick  was  a  man  in 
the  strictest  sense  of  the  word. 


198  JOHN  MERRICK 

''A  great  pleasure  was  my  visit  with  Merrick  four 
summers  ago.  I  still  found  my  friend  to  be  the  man  I 
had  known  him  to  be  in  the  years  gone  by.  \Mien  I  ar- 
rived in  Durham  I  was  met  by  a  large  auto  with  orders 
that  I  come  to  his  office.  I  was  greatly  imprest  by  the 
large  office  building  which  housed  the  insurance  Company. 
Down  below,  on  the  first  floor,  was  his  banking  insti- 
tution. 

"I  was  taken  to  the  home  and  renewed  my  acquaint- 
ance with  the  family.  I  was  taken  to  my  chamber  by 
Mr.  Merrick.  On  the  table  was  a  box  of  fine  Havana 
cigars.  He  graspt  my  hand  and  gave  me  a  welcome 
that  almost  brot  tears  to  my  eyes,  as  I  thankt  him. 

"I  had  a  pleasant  stay  of  two  days  with  ]\Ierrick,  and 
as  we  parted  at  the  railroad  station  he  graspt  me  by 
the  hand  and  said,  'Wright,  I  shall  never  forget  you,  old 
fellow,  and  how  much  I  owe  you.'  I  then  bade  him  goodbye 
and  the  saddest  day  of  my  life  was  when  I  heard  of  his 
death." — John  Wright,  Washington,  D.  C. 

The  Press 

The  press  of  the  country,  colored  and  white, 
carried  news  stories  of  Mr.  Merrick's  life  and 
achievements.  Practically  all  of  the  Negro 
journals  and  many  w^hite  papers  carried  special 
articles  and  spoke  editorially. 

The  Insurance  Leader,  one  of  the  leading  in- 
surance journals,  publisht  at  St.  Louis,  carried 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        199 

a  page  write-up  with  a  cut  of  Mr.  Merrick.    It 
said  in  part: 

''A  very  notable  colored  life  insurance  chief  execu- 
tive, Mr.  John  Merrick,  founder  and  president  of  the 
greatest  Negro  life  insurance  company  in  the  world — 
the  North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  of 
Durham,  N.  C. — is  dead.  The  story  of  president  Mer- 
rick's life  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  fact-romances 
in  all  the  annals  of  important  southern  history.     .     .     . 

"The  Insurance  Leader  finds  much  pleasure  in  thus 
sketching  the  career  of  this  most  famous  colored  life 
insurance  president — the  able  head  of  the  world's  greatest 
Negro  life  insurance  Company. 

"With  so  brilliant  guide  lights  as  the  careers  of 
Booker  T.  Washington  and  John  Merrick — the  one  a 
great  teacher,  the  other  a  great  financier — the  colored 
people  of  America  never  need  ask  a  white  person  the 
way  to  honorable  and  greater  success." 

The  Morning  Herald  and  Evening  Sun 
(white),  of  Durham,  have  always  been  generous 
in  reporting  the  progress  of  and  giving  just 
credit  to  the  achievements  of  Durham's  Negro 
citizens.  These  papers  extended  sympathy  dur- 
ing the  illness  of  Mr.  Merrick.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  they  carried  news  stories  of  the  life  and 
work  of  John  Merrick  and  also  commented  edi- 
torially. 


200  JOHN  MERRICK 

The  Greensboro  Daily  Nezvs  (white)  publisht 
a  long  editorial  under  the  caption:  ''Death  of 
'Duke's  Barber'  ".    It  said  in  part : 

'The  life  of  John  Merrick,  of  Durham,  the  best 
known  colored  man  in  the  business  life  of  North  Caro- 
lina, until  his  death  Wednesday  night,  is  evidence  that 
for  the  Negro  of  gentility,  love  of  home,  industry  and 
thrift,  there  are  few  things  for  which  he  may  not  strive 
and  still  fewer  that  he  cannot  attain.     .     .     . 

"John  Merrick  was  not  schooled  in  the  institutions, 
but  he  was  a  race  philosopher  who  found  in  his  few 
choice  book  the  ways  of  all  men.  He  had  utterly  no 
patience  with  those  race  leaders  who  sought  near-cuts 
to  place  and  power  thru  gifts  of  philanthropy  rather  than 
thru  elemental  excellencies.  Were  there  any  dis- 
criminations against  him  and  his  race?  Of  course,  he 
felt  them,  for  he  was  a  Negro  gentleman  of  keen  brain 
and  fine  sensibilities.  But  he  knew  as  a  condition  to 
receiving  things  his  race  must  seek  first  things  first ; 
and  everywhere,  more  in  the  privacy  of  his  settlement, 
his  office  and  his  church  than  publicly  before  the  whites, 
he  preacht  the  doctrine.  And  he  scorned  the  maker  of 
trouble  who  sought  to  break  the  law  of  growth  and 
reward 

"Along  with  his  patience  was  a  clever  trade  principle 
which  held  it  the  quintessence  of  folly  to  hope  for  the 
admiration  of  the  world  while  asking  only  its  pity.  The 
race  had  something  to  sell,  artisan's  work,  agricultural 
products,   manufactured   articles;   it   had   supply   and   it 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        201 

had   demand,    he    said ;   and   no   market   is   afforded    for 
the  race,  he  taught,  which  declares  itself  bankrupt. 

"His  death  is  distressing  at  a  time  that  calls  most  for 
his  gospel.  But  his  life  has  been  a  benediction  which 
will  last." 

The  Raleigh  N'ezvs  and  Observer  (white)  car- 
ried the  following  editorial : 

John  Merrick — A  Lesson   , 

"Last  week  a  death  occurred  in  Durham  that  is  worth 
a  little  study  by  the  colored  people  of  North  Carolina. 
He  was  John  Merrick,  a  Negro,  sixty  years  old,  and  a 
man  who  had  won  success,  not  only  as  it  is  measured  by 
figures,  on  a  bank  ledger,  but  in  that  large  sense  of  being 
useful  to  the  world  in  which  he  lived  and  to  his  fel- 
lowmen. 

"John  Merrick  went  to  Durham  a  stranger  from 
Sampson  County  when  a  young  man  but  died  there  one 
of  the  best  known  men  in  the  city.  He  was  industrious 
and  frugal,  two  things  worth  emulating  by  any  man, 
black  or  white.  He  workt  and  saved  his  money,  and 
when  he  had  a  little  accumulation  he  put  it  into  produc- 
tive property,  also  an  example  worth  following.  He 
joined  with  others  in  founding  a  hospital  and  a  library 
and  a  bank  and  a  fraternal  association  and  in  various 
ways  he  workt  for  his  own  prosperity  and  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  his  people. 

"But  he  did  still  more.  Instead  of  occupying  his 
time  bewailing  any  actual  or  supposed  handicap  that  he 


202  JOHN  MERRICK 

encountered  he  devoted  his  energy  to  making  the  best 
of  the  wide  opportunities  that  this  country  gives  all 
men,  black  or  white,  and  he  won  out. 

"And  that  is  *the  point  that  would  be  made  from  his 
example.  Perhaps  he  fought  in  a  narrower  field  than  is 
the  luck  of  some  men.  But  he  showed  that  his  field  was 
broad  enough  for  honest,  industrious  effort,  and  that  a 
Negro  can  make  substantial  friends  among  his  white 
acquaintances  who  will  stand  by  him  and  help  him  along 
if  he  cares  to  show  himself  entitled  to  that  kind  of 
help.  John  Merrick  had  no  monopoly  of  opportunity. 
The  same  world  is  open  for  any  other  Negro  that  was 
open  for  John  Merrick;  but  he  must  avail  himself  of  it 
as  Merrick  did.  It  is  the  same  world  that  is  open  to  any 
other  man.  In  Durham  as  in  every  other  place  in  North 
Carolina,  now  as  in  the  older  days  and  always,  the  gods 
help  them  that  help  themselves.  John  Merrick  had  a 
host  of  solid  friends  among  his  white  acquaintances  and 
so  will  every  other  man,  no  matter  what  his  color,  who 
shows  himself  to  be  deserving.  This  is  a  lesson  all  should 
learn  thoroly." 


APPENDIX 


There  is  nothing  sweeter 

Than  memories  of  such  a  friend. 

He  loved  me  in  Ufe; 

I  loved  him  in  life  and  in  death. 

A.  M.  MOORE. 


He  was  not  only  a  loyal  business 
partner  and  a  firm  and  loving  friend, 
but  he  was  also  a  big-hearted  sympa- 
thetic brother.  I  never  made  an  impor- 
tant decision  without  consulting  him, 
and  always  placed  the  utmost  confidence 
in  his  judgments,  because  I  knew  he  con- 
sidered my  interests  his. 

C.  C.  SPAULDING. 


RESOLUTIONS 

OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 
NORTH  CAROLINA  MUTUAL 
LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 

August  15,  1920 

THE  hand  of  death  has  been  laid  upon  our 
beloved  friend  and  co-worker  and  has 
ended  our  earthly  connection  as  partners 
and  comrades.  Unspeakable  grief  casts  a  pall 
over  us  and  saddens  our  hearts  as  we  face  this 
event.  It  is  but  human  to  bewail  the  loss  of  a 
loved  one,  a  constant  friend,  a  tried  and  true  com- 
panion who  was  bone  of  our  bone  and  flesh  of 
our  flesh. 

Aside  from  his  family  we  were  closest  to  him 
and  knew  him  best.  We  knew  him  to  be  a  great- 
hearted, big-souled,  broad-minded  man  combining 
rare  elements  in  his  nature.  He  was  love,  he  was 
warmth,  he  was  light :  many-sided  yet  remarkably 
simple  and  earnest.  To  know  him  was  to  admire 
him.     Once  he  had  smiled  upon  you  and  had 

[  205  ] 


206  JOHN  MERRICK 

graspt  your  hand  in  his  friendly  way  you  never 
forgot  either  the  warmth  of  his  friendship  or  the 
joy  of  his  countenance. 

Thru  the  years  of  our  labor  together  he  was 
always  the  same  even-tempered,  prudent,  humble 
but  forceful  leader  of  men;  and  we  followed  him 
always  to  our  mutual  advantage.  We  turned  to 
him  as  naturally  as  does  the  sun-flower  to  its 
controlling  light — but  we  are  sustained  and  do 
not  droop  our  heads  even  after  this  light  has 
ceast  to  shine  on  earth.  The  reflected  radiance 
of  its  recent  lustre  still  shines  about  us  and  we 
cannot  falter  nor  fail  while  we  cherish  his 
memory. 

A  judgment  so  rare,  a  disposition  so  finely 
tempered,  a  heart  so  filled  to  over-flowing  with 
the  desire  to  serve  his  fellow-man,  a  spirit  so 
jubilant,  so  full  of  assurance,  so  overmastering 
and  so  contagious — such  was  the  nature  of  the 
man  whom  we  mourn,  our  beloved  founder, 
'president  and  co-worker,  who  has  now  ended  his 
earthly  labors  and  gone  to  his  great  reward  of 
peace  and  happiness  forever. 

We,  his  co-workers  and  loving  friends  who 
strove  to  uphold  his  hands  on  earth  and  who 
cherish  the  memory  of  him  in  Heaven,  register 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        207 

here  our  distress  and  spread  this  resolution  of 
sorrow  on  the  permanent  records  of  the  North 
CaroHna  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  in 
order  that  neither  time  nor  the  failing  memory 
of  man  may  rob  John  Merrick  of  the  glory  and 
honor  and  praise  which  to  him  belong. 
Faithfully  subscribed, 

A.  M.  Moore, 
C.  C.  Spaulding, 
J.  M.  Avery, 
E.  R.  Merrick. 


3n  ifWemoriam 


Address  of  Dr.  R.  Baxter  McRary  Before  the  Agents'  Conference, 

July  18,  1920,  St.  Joseph's  A.  M.  E.  Church, 

Durham,  N.  C. 


HISTORY  and  tradition  furnish  abundant 
evidence  of  a  custom  which  has  been  ob- 
served by  nations,  commonweahhs,  com- 
munities and  individuals  since  the  mind  of  man 
runneth  not  to  the  contrary — that  of  assembhng 
themselves  at  suitable  times  and  places  to  pay 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  those  who  had  rendered 
conspicuous  service  to  society  or,  in  some  unusual 
way,  had  left  the  impress  of  their  lives  upon  their 
contemporaries  and  co-laborers.  The  ceremonies 
observed  on  occasions  like  this  are  not  intended 
to  open  afresh  the  eloquent  wounds  which  time 
has  soothed  tho  it  can  never  completely  heal ; 
neither  to  fathom  the  fountain  of  our  tears 
which  is  too  deep  for  words. 

If,  therefore,  any  should  ask  why  we  are  as- 
sembled at  this  time,  at  this  place,  and  under 
these  auspices,  we  would  answer — It  is  to  break  an 
alabaster  box  over  the  memory  of  our  friend  and 

[208] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        209 

brother,  the  late  lamented  John  Merrick;  to  re- 
call also  some  of  the  outstanding  traits  of  his 
life  and  character  which  endeared  him  to  us,  as 
we  believe  they  did  to  all  who  knew  him,  and  to 
gather  inspiration  and  courage  to  face  our  own 
tasks  as  we  contemplate  the  manly  virtues  which 
in  many  ways  distinguisht  him.  Personally,  I 
bring  no  flower  to  place  on  his  grave  that  I  would 
not  gladly  have  given  him  while  he  could  have 
enjoyed  its  fragrance.  He  was  my  friend, — not 
in  the  sense  of  little  kindnesses  that  imposed  mu- 
tual obligations,  but  in  that  broad,  deep  sense  of 
manliness  and  integrity  which  would  not  flatter 
me  in  my  presence  nor  allow  me  to  be  maligned 
in  my  absence.  As  I  make  the  inventory  of  the 
friendships  that  remain  I  miss  that  of  John  Mer- 
rick. I  would  not  overdraw  the  picture,  neither 
would  I  detract  from  his  splendid  personality. 

Perhaps  the  most  familiar  and  at  the  same 
time  the  most  mysterious  phenomenon  in  our 
world  is  human  life.  In  the  presence  of  its  ad- 
vent science  stands  with  uncovered  head.  Phi- 
losophy finds  the  study  of  its  manifestations  and 
processes  the  most  absorbing  and  yet  the  most 
baflling  theme  that  challenges  contemplation. 
Love,  divine  essence,  accepts  it  as  God  gives  it 


210  JOHN  MERRICK 

and,  faithful  to  its  sacred  trust,  laughing  at  locks 
and  bars,  braving  tempests,  bridging  seas,  scaling 
mountains,  daring  flames,  follows  the  path  of  life 
to  the  very  brink  of  the  grave.  When  it  makes 
its  exit  from  the  material  universe  love  refuses 
to  turn  back ;  but  with  sublime  faith  reaches  for- 
ward across  the  tomb  in  which  reposes  the  mortal 
tenement  of  the  object  of  its  devotion,  as  if  to 
thrust  aside  the  veil  which  the  pale  hand  of  death 
has  drawn  and  peer  into  the  mystic  realm  beyond. 
The  existence  of  that  realm  is  predicated  on 
revelation  and  faith  and  each  of  us,  by  the  very 
laws  of  our  being,  instinctively  turns  toward  it, 
sensing  the  thot  of  the  author  who  wrote : 

"And  lo !  they  have  past  from  our  yearning  hearts, 

They  cross  the  stream  and  are  gone  for  aye ; 
We  may  not  sunder  the  veil  apart 

That  hides  from  our  vision  the  gates  of  day; 
We  only  know  that  their  barks  no  more 

Sail  with  us  o'er  life's  stormy  sea; 
Yet  somewhere  I  know,  on  the  unseen  shore, 

They  watch  and  beckon  and  wait  for  me." 

While  traveling  on  one  occasion  I  encountered 
a  man  who  I  observed  was  watching  me  intently. 
Presently  he  approacht  me  with  a  rather  pleased 
expression  on  his  countenance  which  underwent 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        211 

a  change  as  he  drew  near  me.  He  accosted  me, 
saying,  ''Do  you  know  John  Merrick?"  He  did 
not  designate  the  place  where  the  man  of  whom 
he  spoke  Hved;  which  was  as  much  as  to  say, 
''Everybody  should  know  John  Merrick/'  It  de- 
velopt  in  the  conversation  which  followed  that  the 
stranger  thot  he  detected  some  slight  resemblance 
between  the  man  of  whom  he  spoke  and  whom  he 
evidently  admired,  and  me.  I  do  not  know  that 
we  have  ever  met  since,  but  should  I  ever  en- 
counter the  stranger  again  I  could  find  it  in  my 
heart  to  wish  that  he  might  discover  in  me  not 
merely  a  possible  physical  reminder;  but  that  he 
might  discover  also  some  token  of  the  disposition 
and  temperament  which  were  characteristic  of 
John  Merrick  and  which  made  him  easily  the  fa- 
vorite in  whatever  circle  he  moved — whether  in 
the  social  circle,  in  the  fraternity  hall,  in  busi- 
ness association,  in  patriotic  endeavor  or  in  the 
religious  realm.  In  each  and  all  of  these  he 
wielded  exceptional  power. 

John  Merrick  was  a  gentleman.  I  do  not  use 
the  term  gentleman  as  of  one  born  to  that  estate 
in  life  by  reason  of  which  lineage,  inherited 
wealth  or  exclusive  social  position  secures  im- 
munity from  the  environment  which  is  the  lot  of 


212  JOHN  MERRICK 

those  whom  men  call  less  fortunate.  Nor  do  I 
use  it  in  the  sense  that  his  face  was  never  wet 
with  the  sweat,  nor  his  fingers  soiled  with  the 
marks  of  honest  toil.  Such  a  use  of  the  term 
gentleman  would  be  obviously  out  of  place  as  ap- 
plied to  John  Merrick.  Perhaps  I  could  best  ex- 
press what  I  have  in  mind  by  coining  two  words 
out  of  one  and  saying — He  was  a  gentle  man. 
As  such  I  knew  him.  Well  favored,  approach- 
able, affable,  obliging  and  withal  possest  of  a  per- 
sonal magnetism  that  attracted  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact  and  held  them  to  him  by  the 
strong  cords  of  respect  and  confidence. 

There  is  a  sense  in  which  none  can  so  well  ap- 
preciate the  peculiar  circumstances  of  another  as 
can  one  who  has  past  thru  a  similar  ordeal.  It 
so  happened,  providentially  as  I  now  think,  that 
Mr.  Merrick  and  I  were  temporarily  thrown  into 
pleasant  association  at  Baltimore,  whither  we 
both  had  gone  in  quest  of  health  and  the  services 
of  skilled  specialists.  Neither  of  us  knew  the 
other  was  going,  but  it  happened  that  we  found 
shelter  in  the  same  home.  Our  surprise  at  meeting 
was  as  mutually  agreeable  as  could  well  be  ex- 
pected under  the  conditions  which  obtained. 
Altho  he  greeted  me  in  the  kind  and  courteous 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        213 

manner  which  was  so  characteristic  of  him  it 
was  at  once  apparent  that  he  was  suffering  keenly. 
When  he  came  in  from  the  sanitarium  after  his 
first  treatment  he  stopt  a  few  minutes  in  my  room. 
In  reply  to  my  inquiry  as  to  how  he  felt,  he  said : 
"I  don't  feel  quite  so  cheerful  now.  That  radium 
burnt  my  foot  right  much.''  Then  he  remarkt 
that  the  specialist  exprest  the  opinion  that  he 
could  be  relieved.  He  subsequently  returned  to 
Durham. 

I  was  still  there  when  he  came  to  Baltimore  for 
his  second  treatment.  I  noted  that  his  face  ap- 
peared pincht  and  drawn  as  tho  from  much  suf- 
fering. The  next  day  he  seemed  brighter,  and  as 
I  sat  by  his  bedside  while  he  reclined  and  enjoyed 
his  cigiar,  he  talkt  with  much  of  that  cheery, 
genial  spirit  which  was  a  part  of  him,  altho  he 
frequently  changed  the  position  of  his  afflicted 
limb  evidently  trying  to  secure  a  respite  from 
pain.  Ever  and  anon  he  would  apparently  forget 
it  as  he  talkt  of  business,  and  especially  when  he 
became  animated  as  was  his  wont  when  he  spoke 
of  our  people  and  the  outlook  for  our  race.  I 
recall  distinctly  how,  when  speaking  of  conditions 
as  he  had  observed  them  in  cities  he  had  visited 
in  various  sections  of  our  country,  he  said  very 


214  JOHN  MERRICK 

earnestly:  "After  all,  down  home  in  the  South 
is  the  best  place  for  our  people  to  develop  their 
own  resources."  •  John  Merrick  believed  in  his 
race.  He  was  not  unmindful  of  the  substantial 
friendships  from  the  other  race,  which  are  in- 
valuable; but  he  uniformly  emphasized  the  need 
of  initiative  on  the  part  of  the  individual  and 
manifested  faith  in  the  capacity  of  the  race  to 
achieve.  He  insisted  that  adaptability,  integrity, 
industry  and  faith  in  God  would  ultimately 
receive  their  just  reward. 

I  trust  I  do  not  violate  the  proprieties  of  the 
occasion  if  I  pause  here  a  moment  to  say  that,  in 
my  opinion,  any  program  we  have  made  or  may 
make,  no  matter  whether  we  relate  it  to  private 
interests  or  to  the  public  weal,  is  fatally  defective 
unless  it  includes  the  conditions  of  success  men- 
tioned by  Mr.  Merrick  on  the  occasion  to  which 
I  refer.  The  history  of  the  progress  of  civiliza- 
tion and  of  the  development  of  any  significant 
reform  in  society  discloses  the  f.act  that  initiative 
is  an  element  of  leadership  and  not  of  mass  move- 
ment. It  rarely,  if  ever,  originates  with  the  mass. 
In  politics,  in  civic  righteousness,  in  education, 
the  crowd  waits  for  the  leader  who  has  a  vision 
to  point  the  way. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        215 

To  formulate  a  code  for  others  to  follow  is  a 
comparatively  easy  thing  for  the  average  man 
to  do;  but  how  often  have  we  observed  that  the 
individual  who  can  do  this  with  the  utmost  facil- 
ity lacks  the  moral  stamina  and  the  quality  of 
adaptation  necessary  when  it  comes  to  his  own 
case.  It  is  a  fine  thing  to  have  a  program ;  it  is  a 
much  finer  thing  to  work  the  program.  ''A  vision 
without  a  task  is  a  dream.  A  task  without  a 
vision  is  drudgery."  John  Merrick  hitcht  his  task 
to  his  vision  and  changed  the  vision  into  a  reality. 
The  genius  to  plan  is  a  prerequisite  to  success  but 
genius  alone  is  insufficient.  It  must  be  backt  up 
by  the  determination  to  execute  and  the  indomi- 
table will  to  persevere. 

It  was  a  long  step  from  Merrick  the  brick 
mason,  or  from  Merrick  the  barber,  to  Merrick 
the  bank  president  and  founder  of  a  great  insur- 
ance company.  If  there  was  any  logical  relation 
between  these  vocations  I  have  not  been  able  to 
discover  it.  I  think  however  a  fair  deduction  is 
that,  in  the  narrower  sphere  this  man  cultivated 
the  habit  of  close  attention  to  what  many  would 
have  ignored  as  inconsequential  details.  He  con- 
sidered that  whatever  was  worth  doing  at  all  was 
worth  doing  well ;  and  in  his  daily  routine  of  du- 


216  JOHN  MERRICK 

ties,  whether  arranging  his  own  affairs  or  serving 
others,  he  was  methodical  and  painstaking  and 
so  developt  the  habits  which  characterized  his 
undertakings  as  the  sphere  of  his  labors  enlarged. 

One  of  the  outstanding  facts  which  I  have 
often  heard  mentioned  both  in  the  forum  and  in 
private  conversation  by  men  of  both  races,  in 
and  out  of  our  State,  is  the  amicable  relations  that 
exist  between  the  races  in  North  Carolina.  In 
this  connection,  Durham  is  not  infrequently  cited 
as  an  illustration  in  point.  In  a  greater  or  less 
degree  I  think  the  same  may  be  affirmed  of  many 
of  the  communities  in  our  State.  Such  a  situa- 
tion, for  which  we  are  all  profoundly  thankful,  is 
to  be  largely  attributed  to  the  fact  that  there  are 
to  be  found  in  these  several  communities  a  few 
men  of  both  races  who  are — if  I  may  so  express 
it — safety  valves  of  the  body  politic.  Another 
way  of  putting  it  is  that  they  are  the  shock  ab- 
sorbers of  the  impact  between  the  faces. 

In  this  category  I  unhesitatingly  place  Mr. 
Merrick.  He  was  manly  without  being  radical. 
He  was  conservative  without  beiiig  obsequious. 
And  from  this  point  of  view  alone  ke  was  a  valu- 
able asset  to  his  community.  The  relations  be- 
tween the  races  will  be  greatly  helpt  everywhere 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        217 

if  the  tribe  of  such  men  can  be  increast.  They 
are  not  always  the  most  erudite  nor  the  most 
loudly  applauded;  for  they  are  sometimes  misun- 
derstood by  the  less  thotful  of  their  fellows. 
Sometimes  their  motives  are  impugned  but  their 
integrity  can  never  be  successfully  assailed.  And 
in  the  after-glow  of  calm  reflection  their  memory 
will  be  honored  even  by  their  critics.  They  build 
for  themselves  monuments  in  the  hearts  of  men, 
more  lasting  than  shafts  of  marble  or  tablets  of 
bronze. 

No  delineation  of  the  personality  of  John  Mer- 
rick would  be  even  approximately  correct  without 
noting  his  equable  temperament.  Neither  disap- 
pointment nor  success  seemed  ever  to  disturb  his 
equilibrium.  But  he  was  in  no  sense  a  fatalist. 
While  he  believed  with  the  great  poet  of  nature 
that 

"There  is  a  Divinity  that  shapes  our  ends, 
Tho  we  will  rough-hew  them  how  we  may," 

his  version  of  that  familiar  couplet  evidently  in- 
clined to  the  thot  that  what  the  poet  had  in  mind 
was  not  that  the  rough-hewing  would  be  dia- 
metrically opposed  to  the  direction  of  the  divine 
shaping;  but  rather  that  having  done  one's  best 


218  JOHN  MERRICK 

in  developing  one's  talents  and  powers  in  the  right 
direction,  the  Divine  Architect  would  give  them 
symmetrical  form  and  favor.  His  serious  mo- 
ments, of  w^hich  he  had  his  share,  never  spelled  a 
grouch.  His  laughter  was  spontaneous  but  never 
suggested  silliness.  One  felt  restful,  never  rest- 
less, in  his  company.  There  was,  w^ithal,  an  at- 
mosphere about  him  which  suggested  the  thot  of 
a  remark  Frederick  Douglass  made  on  one  oc- 
casion concerning  Mr.  Lincoln.  He  said:  "When 
in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  altho  I  never  did 
it,  I  always  felt  as  tho  I  could  go  up  to  him  and 
put  my  hand  on  his  shoulder  as  on  that  of  a  big 
brother."  I  suspect  there  are  not  only  young  men 
but  there  are  children  in  this  audience  who  re- 
member Mr.  Merrick  as  a  big  brother. 

Speaking  of  Lincoln,  I  recall  having  heard 
Bishop  Matthew  Simpson  Hughes,  now  of 
sainted  memory,  say,  in  his  famous  lecture 
on  Abraham  Lincoln,  "The  greatest  discovery 
of  Abraham  Lincoln  was  Abraham  Lincoln." 
I  have  often  considered  that  expression. 
Li  a  very  important  sense  I  am  sure  it  is 
true.  But  as  I  think  of  it  I  doubt  that  Lincoln 
ever  fully  discovered  himself.  I  am  almost  sure 
his  contemporaries  never  completely  discovered 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        219 

that  unique  and  matchless  character  in  American 
history.  They  recognized  in  him  something  in- 
definable, an  element  of  his  character  that  eluded 
their  most  searching  analysis,  something  which 
differentiated  him  from  other  men  of  his  day, 
something  that  won  their  confidence,  their  loyalty, 
their  love,  something  that  inspired  them  to  nobler 
thots  and  higher  living.  In  a  word,  they  appre- 
hended without  fully  comprehending  the  man 
Lincoln.  Posterity  is  still  discovering  him.  His 
contemporaries  were  too  close  to  him  to  measure 
his  greatness.  He  was  like  a  tall  mountain  whose 
towering  summit  cannot  be  seen  till  we  withdraw 
from  its  base. 

By  the  same  token,  I  submit  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  these  men  who  have  come  hither  from 
a  dozen  different  states  to  pay  deserved  tribute  to 
the  man  who  won  and  held  their  esteem,  their 
confidence  and  their  love,  whose  courage  chal- 
lenged their  admiration  and  whose  example  in- 
spired their  emulation;  these  who  were  more  in- 
timately associated  with  him  in  his  business  ca- 
reer; these  neighbors  who  greeted  him  as  he  en- 
countered them  daily  in  the  busy  scenes  of  life; 
these  community  workers  who  relied  upon  him  as 
a  sympathetic,  friend  in  all  their  worthy  under- 


220  JOHN  MERRICK 

takings ;  these  townsmen  of  his  who  knew  him  as 
a  good  citizen  and  counted  -him  as  an  asset  of 
Durham  and  of  North  CaroHna  will,  more  and 
more,  as  the  years  come  and  go,  discover  John 
Merrick  and  place  a  more  intelligent  estimate  on 
his  real  worth  to  his  race,  his  community  and  his 
State. 

I  think  it  should  be  said  of  John  Merrick  that 
he  was  a  patriot.  When,  in  response  to  the  call 
which  was  heralded  thruout  our  national  domain, 
our  people  were  everywhere  splendidly  demon- 
strating their  loyalty  to  the  flag,  he  set  an  illus- 
trious example  in  helping  to  furnish  the  sinews 
of  war  and  in  encouraging  all  whom  he  could 
touch  with  his  influence  to  do  likewise.  Very  well 
do  I  recall  the  Sunday  when,  associating  himself 
with  others  of  your  distinguisht  citizens  in  con- 
ducting a  great  patriotic  meeting  in  the  Academy 
of  Music  here,  his  voice  rang  out  as  clear  as  a  bell 
in  denunciation  of  the  enemy  of  our  common 
country  and  in  justification  of  the  cause  which 
our  government  had  espoused. 

Best  of  all  John  Merrick  was  a  Christian.  As 
such  he  wrot  well  as  trustee  and  steward  and  as 
president  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  League  of 
the  Church  of  his  choice.    In  these  days  of  unrest 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        221 

and  conflicting  interests,  amid  the  engrossing 
cares  of  business  life,  so  many  men  falter  in  their 
allegiance  to  the  Church.  Not  so  with  this  man. 
His  program  always  included  Christian  Steward- 
ship. With  him  the  personal  equation  counted 
for  much;  but  all  his  activities  in  private  and 
public  life  are  indicative  of  the  fact  that  he  be-' 
lieved  that  no  man  is  capable  of  the  highest  ser- 
vice who  leaves  God  out  of  the  account. 

Beyond  the  sacred  threshold  of  the  family 
circle  I  must  not  follow  him.  Out  of  that  shrine 
of  love  and  devotion  his  regnant  spirit  took  its 
flight  to  a  home  where  no  pain  or  parting  ever 
comes. 

"Green  be  the  turf  above  thee, 

Friend  of  my  better  days ; 
None  knew  thee  but  to  love  thee 

Nor  named  thee  but  to  praise." 


STATE  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 
Insurance  Department 

RALEIGH 

office  of 

James  R.  Young, 

Insurance  Commissioner. 

I,  James  R.  Young,  Insurance  Commissioner,  in  and 
for  the  State  of  North  CaroHna,  do  hereby  certify  that 
the  North  CaroHna  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company 
of  Durham,  North  CaroHna,  is  chartered  and  organized 
in  this  State  and  Hcensed  by  this  department,  and  con- 
sidered safe  and  sound. 

This  Company  has  been  doing  business  in  this  State 
under  supervision  of  this  department  for  a  number  of 
years  and  has  been  unusuaHy  successful,  not  only  in 
the  conduct  of  their  business,  but  also  in  dealing  hon- 
estly and  squarely  by  the  people  of  this  State,  and  in 
a  proper  adjustment  of  their  claims.  The  officers  of 
the  Company  on  account  of  the  manner  in  which  they 
have  conducted  their  business  are  entitled  to  full  faith 
and  credit  as  such. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
hand  and  affixed  my  official  seal,  at  the  city  of 
Raleigh,  this  the  11th  day  of  March,  A.D.,  1920. 
(Signed)  James  R.  Young, 

Insurance  Commissioner. 


[222 


EXTRACTS  FROM  AUDITOR'S  REPORT 

ON   THE 

NORTH  CAROLINA  MUTUAL  LIFE 
INSURANCE  COMPANY 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  April  21,  1920. 

Hon.  James  R.  Young,  Insurance  Commissioner, 
Raleigh,  North  Carolina. 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  instructions  an  exam- 
ination of  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company,  of  Durham,  North  Carolina,  has  been  made, 
and  a  report  showing  the  condition  of  the  Company's 
affairs  and  its  financial  statement  as  of  December  31, 
1919,  is  herewith  respectfully  svibmitted. 

HISTORY 

The  North  Carolina  Mutual  &  Provident  Association 
was  originally  incorporated  as  a  mutual  assessment 
concern.  On  August  6,  1913,  the  charter  was  amended 
eliminating  the  assessment  provision  and  introducing  a 
provision  to  the  effect  that  none  of  the  members  of  the 
Association  should  be  individually  liable  for  its  torts  or 
its  debts  or  contracts  except  to  the  extent  of  the  dues 
and  premiums  agreed  to  be  paid  by  the  members  and 
set  forth  in  the  policy  contract. 

[223] 


224  JOHN  MERRICK 

On  April  7,  1919,  the  name  of  the  concern  was 
changed  to  the  North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company  and  the  charter  was  amended  accordingly. 

The  Company  originally  transacted  only  industrial, 
sick  and  accident  business.  In  1899  it  commenced 
issuing  industrial  straight  life  policies  on  a  weekly 
premium  basis.  In  1904  the  Company  commenced  issu- 
ing business  on  Ordinary  plans  on  annual,  semi-annual, 
quarterly  and  monthly  bases.  However,  the  monthly 
premium  basis  was  discontinued  in   1912. 

The  Company  is  operating  in  Arkansas,  District 
of  Columbia,  Florida,  Georgia,  ^Maryland,  Mississippi, 
North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Tennessee  and  Virginia. 
Only  Ordinary  business  is  transacted  in  Arkansas,  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  Florida,  Maryland,  Mississippi  and 
Virginia.  Since  the  date  of  last  examination  the  Com- 
pany has  been  admitted  to  the  states  of  Arkansas,  Florida, 
Maryland,  Mississippi,  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  It  is 
now  applying  for  admission  to  Alabama  and  Oklahoma. 

ORGANIZATION 

By  its  charter  the  corporate  powers  of  the  Company 
are  vested  in  a  Board  of  Directors.  The  Directors  have 
the  power  to  make  by-laws  for  its  government,  prescribe 
the  necessary  officers,  their  duties  and  compensations, 
require  bonds  from  such  of  its  officers  as  occupy  positions 
of  trust,  determine  the  classes  or  kinds  of  policies  and 
the  premiums  to  be  paid,  and  do  and  perform  such 
things  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  proper  conduct  of 
the  business    of  the  said    corporation.     At    the  present 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        225 

time  the  Board  of  Directors  consists  of  the  following: 
A.  M.  Moore,  M.  D.,  President ;  J.  M.  Avery,  Vice- 
President;  C.  H.  Donnell,  Medical  Director;  C.  C. 
Spaulding,  Secretary-Treasurer ;  E.  R.  Merrick,  Assist- 
ant Secretary,  and  W.  J.  Kennedy,  Jr. 

Four  of  the  above  directors  are  also  officers  of  the 
Company  and  devote  all  their  time  to  the  Company. 
C.  H.  Donnell,  jNIedical  Director,  only  devotes  a  part  of 
his  time  to  the  work  of  the  Company.  W.  J.  Kennedy, 
Jr.,  is  in  the  employment  of  the  Company  as  a  depart- 
ment head. 

All  the  present  officers  of  this  Company  have  been 
connected  with  it  for  a  large  number  of  years  and  their 
ability  has  been  proven  by  experience.  They  appear  to 
realize  their  great  responsibility  as  directing  heads  of 
the  largest  insurance  company  of  their  race,  and  to 
appreciate  the  fact  that  the  confidence  of  the  members 
of  their  race  in  its  own  financial  leaders  is  dependent 
upon  the  honest  and  successful  management  of  such 
institutions  as  theirs. 

The  employees  at  the  Home  Office  are  well  organized, 
capable,  and  shov/  a  real  interest  in  their  work. 

SCOPE 

The  last  examination  of  the  Company  was  made  by 
the  North  Carolina  Insurance  Department  as  of  August 
31,  1916.  The  present  examination  covers  the  period 
from  August  31,  1916,  to  December  31,  1919. 

The  minutes  of  the  Company  w^ere  read  and  they 
appear  to  be  properly  kept  and  to  record  all  important 
transactions. 


226  JOHN  MERRICK 

The  premium  income  is  reported  by  the  superin- 
tendents of  each  district  upon  a  summary  sheet  made 
up  of  the  individual  reports  of  agents,  and  shows  the 
gross  collections,  commissions,  sick  claims,  agency 
expenses,  and  the  net  remittances  to  the  Company.  All 
remittances  are  received  by  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  the 
funds  turned  over  to  the  Cashier,  and  the  report  sum- 
mary to  the  Auditor ;  the  report  summaries  are  audited, 
and  entered  in  an  agency  register  classified  first  by 
States  and  summarized  by  months,  while  the  Cashier 
makes  up  deposits  which  are  checked  with  the  report 
of  the  Auditor,  The  summary  of  reports  after  having 
been  audited  are  entered  upon  a  cash  journal  which 
shows  all  of  the  financial  transactions  of  the  Company 
for  the  year.  No  checks  or  money  orders  are  honored 
by  the  banks  or  postofiices  for  payment  or  deposit  unless 
endorsed  by  the  President  or  Secretary-Treasurer,  and 
no  disbursements  are  made  except  by  check  over  their 
signature.  In  this  way  an  efficient  internal  check  is 
kept  upon  the  income  and  disbursements  of  the  Company. 
In  our  audit  test  checks  were  made  for  the  years  1916, 
1917  and  1918  from  the  original  reports  of  agents 
thru  the  agency  register  into  the  cash  journal,  and 
a  detailed  check  of  the  entire  year  of  1919  as  to 
receipts  and  disbursements  from  the  original  reports  of 
agents  and  from  the  original  checks  to  the  cash  journal. 
The  books  of  account  of  the  Company  were  found 
in  excellent  condition  and  the  figures  taken  therefrom 
from   which   the   financial    statement   is   assembled    show 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH        22 


LL/ 


to  *the   best   knowledge   and   belief   the   actual    condition 
of  the  Company  on  December  31,  1919. 


BONDS 

The  President  and  Secretary-Treasurer  are  personally 
responsible  for  the  funds  of  the  Company  and  are  bonded 
in  the  sum  of  $10,000  each. 

CONCLUSION 

Messrs.  E.  H.  Lee  and  I.  G.  Farrow  participated  in 
the  work  of  this  examination  and  we  gratefully  acknow- 
ledge the  valuable  assistance  rendered  by  them. 

We  desire  to  express  our  appreciation  of  the  unfail- 
ing courtesy  and  willing  assistance  accorded  by  the  offi- 
cers and  employes  of  the  Company. 

All  of  which  is 

Respectfully  sumbitted, 

(Signed)   E.  T.  Burr, 
Actuary,  North  Carolina  Insurance  Dept. 

(Signed)   S.  F.  Campbell, 
Examiner,  North  Carolina  Insurance  Dept. 

Approved : 

J.  R.  Young, 

Insurance  Commissioner, 

April  24,  1920. 


Financial  Statement 

OF  THE 

North  Carolina  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co. 

AT  THE 

Close  OF  BUSINESS,  December  31,  1919 
INCOME 

Balance  Bret  Forward,  January  1,   1919 $    395,487.66 

Premiums : 1,224,541.69 

Rents,   Interest,  etc 42,497.93 

Total $1,662,527.28 

GROSS  ASSETS 

Real  Estate  and  Loans  on  Real  Estate $  106,025.47 

Book  Value  of  Bonds  and  Stocks 452,380.00 

War    Savings    Stamps 842.00 

Loans  on  Company's  Policies 9,571.75 

Cash  in  Office  and   Bank 52,991.68 

Bills  Receivable  and  Agents'   Balance 1,808.77 

Accrued   Interest  and   Rents - 7,500.03 

Market  Value  of  Real  Estate  and  Stock  Over  Book 

Value 29,000.00 

Net  Amount  of  Uncollected  and  Deferred  Premiums  97,433.33 

Furniture,   Fixtures,   Safes,   etc 17,382.29 

Total $    774,935.32 

DEDUCT  ASSETS  NOT  ADMITTED 

Supplies  and  Printed   Matter $  2,400.00 

Furniture   and    Fixtures 14,982.29 

Bills    Receivable 1,808.77—  $      19,191.06 

Admitted  Assets  -•-$    755,744.26 

[  228  ] 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  229 

DISBURSEMENTS 

Sick  and  Death   Claims  and  All   Other   Payments  to 

PoHcyholders $  401,240.66 

Commissions    445,5//.o/ 

War  Taxes  and  All  Other  Taxes  and  Fees 26,784.61 

Medical    Examination    Fees 69,434.00 

Salaries,  Postage,  Printing  and  Ml  Other  Expenses....  95,879.44 

Ledger  Assets   December  31,    1919 623,619.67 

Total $1,662,527.28 

LIABILITIES 

Net   Reserve $  615.405.00 

Claims    for    Death    Losses 1,321.00 

Interest  Paid  in  Advance 186.42 

Premiums   Paid  in  Advance 2,501.50 

Medical    Examination    Fees 3,864.50 

Estimated  Amount  for  Federal  and  Other  Taxes 16,000.00 

Total $  639,278.42 

Unassigned   Funds    (Surplus)    $  116,465.84 

Total - $  755,744.25 


